Pope: Mary the model of evangelization, Christian service

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 28, 2013 / 08:19 am

Following the closing Mass of World Youth Day, Pope Francis held Mary up as the model for the life of Christians, because of her desire to bring Jesus her son to the world.

"On receiving the grace of being the Mother of the Incarnate Word, she did not keep that gift to herself," Pope Francis said during his Angelus address July 28 on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach.

"She set off, she left her home and went in haste to help her kinswoman Elizabeth, who was in need of assistance; she carried out an act of love, of charity, of practical service, bringing Jesus who was in her womb."

Pope Francis began his remarks by thanking Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro as well as all the World Youth Day pilgrims "for all the joy you have given me in these days."

"May Mary teach us by her life what it means to be a missionary disciple," the Pope prayed. 

He remarked that each time the Angelus is prayed, "we recall the event that changed the history of mankind for ever."

Immediately after receiving the grace of becoming God's mother, Mary went in haste to help her kinswoman Elizabeth, Pope Francis noted, rather than basking in her own radiance.

"There, my dear friends, we have our model."

"She who received the most precious gift from God, as her immediate response sets off to be of service and to bring Jesus. Let us ask Our Lady to help us too to give Christ's joy to our families, our companions, our friends, to everyone."

The Pope concluded, urging the pilgrims to "never be afraid to be generous with Christ … go out and set off with courage and generosity, so that every man and every woman may meet the Lord."