Pope Francis: 'Service is the Christian way of life'

Martyrs of Damascus Image: Vatican news

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis presided at the Canonization Mass in St Peter's Square for 14 new saints on Sunday.

The newly canonized include three founders: St Giuseppe Allamano, a diocesan priest from Italy who founded the Consolata missionary orders, St Marie-Léonie Paradis, a Canadian nun from Montreal who founded the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, and St Elena Guerra, founder of the Oblate Sisters of The Holy Spirit.

The other news saints are Fr Manuel Ruiz López and his seven Franciscan companions, who were martyred in Damascus in 1860 together with three lay Maronite Catholic siblings, Francis, Mooti, and Raphael Massabki, for refusing to renounce their faith.

Pope Francis said: "These new saints lived Jesus' way: service. They made themselves servants of their brothers and sisters, creative in doing good, steadfast in difficulties, and generous to the end."

Reflecting on the day's Gospel passage from Mark, he invited Christians to contemplate the profound questions Jesus asked His disciples, James and John: "What is it you want me to do for you?" and "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?" These questions, noted Pope Francis, shine light on our hidden desires and cast away any illusions of self-interest.

The Holy Father explained that through these questions, Jesus calls us to a deeper relationship with Him.

He said that James and John, though faithful disciples, approached Jesus with expectations rooted in worldly glory, seeking honour and positions of power. They longed for a place at His right and left in His glory, imagining a victorious Messiah who would reign with might. But, the Pope continued, their understanding was flawed.

"Jesus doesn't stop at their request," the Pope said, "He delves deeper, revealing the desires behind their words. He challenges them, as He challenges us, to see beyond human ambition."

The true Messiah, Pope Francis recalled, is not a king of power and dominance but a Servant-King who came not to be served, but to serve, even to the point of offering His life on the cross. He added that the image Jesus presents to His disciples is a radical departure from worldly notions of power.

"On His right and left, there would be no thrones, but two thieves, crucified alongside Him, suffering and dying with Him in ignominy." This death, said the Pope, is the cup Jesus speaks of-a life of love, a baptism of suffering and service.

Pope Francis pointed out that the true path of discipleship is not one of seeking to dominate but of learning to serve. "Those who follow Christ, if they wish to be great, must serve," he said.

After the Mass Pope Francis expressed his concern for the indigenous Yanomami people, who live on the border between Venezuela and Brazil. "I appeal to political and civil authorities to ensure the protection of the Yanomami people and their fundamental rights, and to prevent any form of exploitation of their dignity and their territories."

He noted that the newly canonised St Giuseppe Allamano, reminds Christians of our duty to care for people who are fragile or vulnerable.

The Yanomami are a group of around 35,000 indigenous people who live in 200-250 villages in the Amazonia region that lies between Venezuela and Brazil. According to rights groups, illegal gold mining often takes place on Yanomami lands, causing social and environmental issues, including mercury poisoning in several communities.

Pope Francis then once again appealed for prayers for peace in the world. "Let us continue to pray for the people suffering due to war: martyred Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, martyred Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and all others. And let us invoke for all the gift of peace," he said.

The Holy Father recalled that it was World Mission Sunday with its theme: "Go and invite everyone to the banquet."

He said every Christian is called to take part in the universal mission of proclaiming the Gospel, so that all may come to the "joyful encounter with the Lord." "Let us support-with our prayers and assistance-all missionaries who endure great sacrifice to bring the radiant message of the Gospel to every part of the earth," Pope Francis said.

Watch the Mass on Vatican Youtube channel here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7M6iRMzecU