Pope Francis: Virgin Mary teaches us to ‘live the Eucharistic way’

Vatican City, June 18, 2022/07:00 am (CNA).

The Pope told young Catholics on Saturday that the Blessed Virgin Mary never allowed herself to be “paralyzed by pride or fear,” but that she rose and humbly rushed to help.

“Mary also teaches us to live the Eucharistic way. In other words, to give thanks, to praise, and not to focus only on problems and difficulties,” Pope Francis said on June 18.

Pope Francis pointed out that the Mother of God does not stay at home and does not think of the great privilege that she had received after meeting with the angel at the time of the Annunciation, nor did she pay attention to the many problems that it caused. can bring

“She wasn’t one of those people who needed only one good sofa to be comfortable and safe: ‘couch potatoes.’ If her elderly relative needed help, she was ready to be there for him immediately,” he said.

The Pope spoke in the audience with young Catholics who are part of the Syro-Malabar Church, the second largest Eastern Catholic Church with more than four million members worldwide.

Situated in India, the Syro-Malabar Church is one of 23 autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome. It is the largest of the churches that trace their origins to St. Thomas the Apostle, who is believed to have traveled to South India following his life-changing encounter with Jesus during his missionary journey.

Pope Francis told those attending the Syro-Malabar Youth Leaders’ Conference that they were called to bear witness to the fact that “whenever we say ‘yes’ to Jesus, our lives find essence and meaning. “

He said: “You are the youth of the Syro-Malabar diaspora. The apostle Thomas came to the west coast of India to sow the seeds of the gospel and the first Christian community grew up there. According to tradition, this year marks the 1,950th anniversary of Thomas’ martyrdom, which sealed his friendship with Jesus, whom he called: ‘My Lord and my Lord!'”

“The church is inspired because it is based on the testimony of the apostles, and continues to grow not by conversion, but by witness. Every baptized person participates in the building of the church to the extent that he is a witness. You too have to bear witness. called, mainly among your companions in the Syro-Malabar diaspora, but also among those who do not belong to your communities, and even those who do not know the Lord Jesus.”

Pope Francis encouraged young Catholics to be like Mary, who had visited her older cousin Elizabeth, by visiting her elderly relatives and receiving their wisdom.

“Jesus’ young mother was very familiar with the prayers of her people, which she had learned from her parents and grandparents. There is a hidden treasure in the prayers of our elders. In grandeur, Mary takes the legacy of faith passed down by her people and makes it a song of hers; At the same time, the whole church sings with him, ”he said.

“If you, young people, want to make your own life the center of admiration, which is a gift to all humanity, it is necessary to build on the tradition and prayer of past generations. This is especially true for you; It means always renewing that treasure in your church’s history and in its spiritual and religious riches, with the help of your bishops and priests.

“Above all, I encourage you to become familiar with the Word of God, read it daily, and apply it to your life. Jesus, the risen Lord, will warm your hearts and shine a light on your journey, even in the most difficult and darkest moments of life,” Pope Francis said.