Pope: Mary Models How to Follow Christ by the ‘Martyrdom’ of Her Heart

Pope Francis urged Christians to imitate Mary and ask her help in sharing Jesus with others.

Pope Francis incenses the official statue of Our Lady of Fatima during Mass Oct. 13 in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Francis incenses the official statue of Our Lady of Fatima during Mass Oct. 13 in St. Peter's Square. (photo: Rex Features via AP Images)

VATICAN CITY — In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the Church, reflecting on the importance of Mary as an example of how to respond to God’s plan with fidelity.

“She is also a model of union with Christ, be it in her daily duties, be it in the way of the cross, until she unites herself with him in the martyrdom of the heart,” said Pope Francis.

The Holy Father directed the words of his Oct. 23 general audience to the nearly 100,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, including those from England, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, India, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Guam, Canada and the United States. The Pope also greeted the members of the U.K.’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See, which will be holding meetings in the upcoming days.

“Dear brothers and sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Church, we now look to the Virgin Mary, who, as the Second Vatican Council reminds us, is ‘the model of the Church in the order of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ,’” the Pope said, quoting the Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium.

“As a daughter of Israel,” said the Pope, “Mary responded in faith to God’s call and became the mother of his Son.”

Because of her response, the Holy Father said, “She teaches us to live a life of faith by her obedience to God’s will and by her unfailing devotion to Jesus and his work.”

Mary obeyed, the Pope explained, as an “ordinary, humble woman” who “lives immersed in the mystery, and her Yes, already perfect from the beginning, grows until the cross, in which her maternity embraces everyone.”

“She is a model of charity, the perfect joy that comes from the Spirit and manifests itself in a sacrificial love,” he said.

This charity, the Pope said, has been “born of faith” and “brings the joy and peace of Christ’s presence to others and to our world.”

The Pope then turned his reflections to Mary’s constant spiritual attitude and disposition, explaining that she “models the Church’s union with Christ through her constant prayer and participation in the mysteries of his life, death and resurrection.”

He then asked those present, “How does the figure of Mary challenge us? Do we see her far away from us? Do we go to her during trials? Are we capable, like her, of loving by giving ourselves completely? Do we feel united to Jesus, according to her example, in a steadfast relationship, or do we only remember him in times of need?”

“As Mother of the Church, may Mary, by her prayers, bring us ever closer to the Lord,” he said.

Pope Francis concluded his reflections by praying that Mary “open our hearts to share his transforming and redeeming love and inspire us to put our firm faith in God’s word, trusting in his goodness and his gracious plan for us and for our world.”