Skip to content

Pope Francis Calls for a ‘Spirit of Service’ on Feast of Mary’s Assumption

Pope Francis on Tuesday urged the faithful to adopt a “spirit of service"

Pope Francis on Tuesday urged the faithful to adopt a “spirit of service,” pointing to the example of the Blessed Mother who went in haste to help her expectant cousin Elizabeth.

The pope spoke to a crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the recitation of the Angelus on the feast of Mary’s assumption into heaven.

In his reflection before leading the Marian prayer, Pope Francis drew on the day’s Gospel reading — Luke’s account of Mary’s Visitation — which the Holy Father said shows the Mother of God to be a “woman of service” to her neighbor.

“Our Lady, who had just conceived, travels almost 150 kilometers [about 93 miles] from Nazareth to reach Elizabeth’s house,” Pope Francis noted. “Helping is costly, to all of us! We always experience this in the fatigue, patience, and worries that taking care of others entails.” 

Pilgrims carry a sign in St. Peter's Square on Aug. 15, 2023, during Pope Francis' Angelus reflections on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Vatican Media
Pilgrims carry a sign in St. Peter’s Square on Aug. 15, 2023, during Pope Francis’ Angelus reflections on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Vatican Media

The pope warned, however, that “service risks being barren without praise to God.”

“Indeed, when Mary enters the home of her cousin, she praises the Lord,” the pope said. “She does not talk about her weariness from the journey, but rather a song of jubilation springs from her heart. Because those who love God know praise.”

“Let us try to ask ourselves: Do I live my work and daily occupations with a spirit of service, or with selfishness?” the pope said. “Do I devote myself to someone freely, without seeking immediate advantages? In short, do I make service the ‘springboard’ of my life?”

He continued: “And thinking about praise: Do I, like Mary, exult in God? Do I pray, blessing the Lord? And, after praising him, do I spread his joy among the people I meet? Each one of you, try to answer these questions.”

Following the recitation of the Angelus, Francis also offered a customary blessing of the crowd. “Today, we entrust to Mary assumed into heaven our supplication for peace in Ukraine and in all war-torn regions: There are so many of them, unfortunately,” he said.

“The clamor of weapons drowns out attempts at dialogue; the law of force prevails over the force of law,” he continued. “But let us not be discouraged, let us continue to hope and to pray, because it is God, it is he who guides history. May he listen to us!”

This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency. 

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

PHOTOS: Nighttime eucharistic adoration in St. Peter’s Square

The Vatican held its first monthly eucharistic adoration in the area in front of St. Peter’s Basilica on

Filipino Cardinal Urges Catholics To Report Clerical Abuse To Church And Civil Authorities

After a U.S abuse watchdog slammed the Philippines’ bishops for not taking action against clergy accused of sexual abuse, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David urged Filipino Catholics to report priests accused of misconduct to both Church and civil authorities.

‘God never tires of forgiving’: Pope Francis hears confessions at Roman parish

On Friday evening Pope Francis traveled out of the Vatican to hear confessions and preside over a penitential service at St. Pius V Parish in Rome.

Pope Francis: People are looking for ‘an oasis in the Church’

People are looking for an oasis in the Catholic Church from which to slake the thirst left by

Pope Francis, blessing of the pallium for metropolitans tomorrow

Tomorrow, the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Pope Francis, as he does every year, will

Pope Francis moved to St. Peter’s Basilica for final goodbye

Pope Francis’ coffin was carried Wednesday morning in solemn procession to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the late pontiff will lie in state for three days for mourners to pay their final respects and say goodbye.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it