St. John Paul II created both to be international events defined by their combination of sacramental celebration, high -
profile Catholic speakers, and faith - filled festivities, all crowned by a
papal visit and vast Mass celebrated by the pope alongside dozens of cardinals, bishops, and priests.
I was surprised, not so much that Crossan was being
profiled, but that the article was not appearing at Christmas or Easter or on the occasion of a
papal visit.