"...Mary is a beautiful example for youth ..." - Pope Francis

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Here are some excepts from the Message that Pope Francis sent to young Brazilians taking part in the National Meeting in the Shrine of Aparecida, Brazil. I post this for Youth on the Forum as well as for all who work with youth – parents, grandparents, teachers, and all those concerned for the youth in our families and parishes:

…For this occasion, I would like to highlight an aspect of the Message that I wrote you this year, for the 32nd World Youth Day: the Virgin Mary is a beautiful example for youth and a help in the walk on the way of life. Great reflections are not necessary for you to perceive this truth; suffice it to contemplate the image of the Mother Aparecida, during the pilgrimage that you will make to her National Shrine. I myself had that experience, when I was there in 2007, for the occasion of the 5th Conference of the Latin American Episcopate and then in 2013, during the WYD in Rio de Janeiro.

I was able to discover there the tender and maternal look of the dark Virgin and in the eyes of the simple people that contemplated her, the secret of hope that moves the Brazilian people, to face with faith and courage the challenges of each day. I was also able to contemplate the revolutionary force of an affectionate Mother that moves the heart of her children to come out of themselves with great missionary impetus, as voices also did during the missionary week that just ended in the Vale do Paraiba…

…For this occasion, I would like to highlight an aspect of the Message that I wrote you this year, for the 32nd World Youth Day: the Virgin Mary is a beautiful example for youth and a help in the walk on the way of life. Great reflections are not necessary for you to perceive this truth; suffice it to contemplate the image of the Mother Aparecida, during the pilgrimage that you will make to her National Shrine. I myself had that experience, when I was there in 2007, for the occasion of the 5th Conference of the Latin American Episcopate and then in 2013, during the WYD in Rio de Janeiro.

I was able to discover there the tender and maternal look of the dark Virgin and in the eyes of the simple people that contemplated her, the secret of hope that moves the Brazilian people, to face with faith and courage the challenges of each day. I was also able to contemplate the revolutionary force of an affectionate Mother that moves the heart of her children to come out of themselves with great missionary impetus…

…May Our Lady, who in her youth was able to embrace God’s call in her life with courage and go out to encounter the neediest, be able to go before you, guiding you in all His ways!..

Full text can be read HERE

 

[dallas_r]

I am a youth and I love the Pope. Not only for who he is, but what he does, and the great advice he gives.

Deum benedicite Franciscus Pontifex!

 

[JoyousCatholic]

I think more people, especially females, need to see Our Lady as their role model and strive to emulate her, in spirituality, faith and deportment.

 

[MariaChristi]

I am a youth and I love the Pope. Not only for who he is, but what he does, and the great advice he gives.

Deum benedicite Franciscus Pontifex!

Dear dallas,

Thanks so much for your reply. I believe God gives grace to every soul who opens his/her heart to receive Him. The Popes, perhaps more than any of us, realize the great responsibilites they have been given by Christ to be a Shepherd after His own Heart, to care for His Bride the Church.

We all have responsibilities, in whatever state of life we may be in, at present. ALL are called to holiness!!! All of us need to pray for God’s help in discerning our spirit, to be sure we are following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. There is always the spirit of the evil one prowling around seeking whom he may devour and we need to resist him, strong in our faith. (cf 1 Peter 5).

Mary is the Mother of our faith; Mother and Model for the Church and so Pope Francis is doing what his predecessors: Pope Benedict and Pope St. John Paul II and Bl. Pope Paul VI have done in pointing youth and all of us to Mary. I joined the Legion of Mary as a teenager, and remained in the Junior Legion until I was 18. Now I’m in the adult Legion and my love for Jesus and Mary continues to grow. I encourage others to stay close to Mary for I know she is God’s special gift to us.

Jesus, from His Cross told us through His Apostle John: “Behold your Mother”, and we need to obey as John did and take Mary into our lives. Anyone interested in learning more about the Legion of Mary can find info HERE

 

[MariaChristi]

I think more people, especially females, need to see Our Lady as their role model and strive to emulate her, in spirituality, faith and deportment.

Dear JoyousCatholic,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the Church has given Mary the beautiful title of “Mother and Model for the Church” but not everyone listens and learns all the Church teaches.

Would that more people would hear Jesus’ words to John the Beloved Disciple from the Cross: “Behold your Mother”. All of us, would be so blessed if we would obey Jesus’ words, by God’s Grace, and take Mary into our lives as John did.

I agree that while all of us need to see in Mary, our Mother and Model of a “perfect disciple” she is especially important for women. In her we can see our unique role as mothers in the world – whether that motherhood is spiritual or physical or both. The Lord has gifted women with a certain “feminine genius” as St. John Paul II said. If you have never read his Apostolic Letter, “On the Dignity and Vocation of Women”, I strongly urge you and others who may be reading this thread to read it online HERE

Thanks also for the links; you’ve recommended some good books.

 

[SusanneT]

I think more people, especially females, need to see Our Lady as their role model and strive to emulate her, in spirituality, faith and deportment.

I completely agree. Of course we can never be perfect but she should be the ideal to which all Christian women should aspire and in her modesty and submission the example we should all try to follow.

 

[MariaChristi]

I completely agree. Of course we can never be perfect but she should be the ideal to which all Christian women should aspire and in her modesty and submission the example we should all try to follow.

Dear Susanne,

Hopefully JoyousCatholic will return to the thread to reply to you also, but I want to thank you for your response to this thread. It is very important that even though we may not reach “complete perfection” in this life all of us do as much as we can, by God’s Grace, to answer the universal call to holiness.

Vatican II re-emphazed this truth which God gave to us in both the Old and New Testaments. He said “Be Holy as I am Holy” (cf Lev 11:44-45, Lev 19:2 and Lev. 20:7) also (1 Pet 1:16).

Our perfection is in the perfection of Charity as Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount: “Be Perfect as your Heavenly Father is Perfect”/ “Be Merciful as your heavenly Father is Merciful” (Mt 5:48 and Lk 6: 36 - 42)

Mary is a beautiful example and unique Mother and Model for the Church because Mary shows us how she listened to God’s Word and did the Truth she heard from Him. August is the Month especially dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and we need to remember Jesus’ words from the Cross: “Behold your Mother”. In her we find all that we are called to become!

Let us all, by God’s Grace, examine our hearts to see how closely we are following the mind and heart of Jesus, as Mary did on this earth – that we may be one with them in heaven.