I am close to the suffering of the mothers of detainees

At the general audience, Francis dedicated a thought and a prayer to women who suffer for their children, also recalling the numerous suicides in prisons. Continuing with the catechesis on discernment that began last week, the pontiff invited us to read the lives of the saints because “their actions speak to our lives and help us understand their meaning.”

Vatican City () – Pope Francis dedicated a thought to the mothers of the young detainees and prayed for them, “so that their hope does not falter”. It was this morning, from Saint Peter’s Square, during the Wednesday general audience. Reminding the groups present of the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which the Church will celebrate tomorrow, the pontiff explained how the Virgin had “experienced the tenderness of God as a daughter, full of grace, to later offer it as a Mother through union with the mission of his son Jesus”. That is why -he added- I want to express my closeness to all mothers and in a special way to those who have children who are suffering, sick, marginalized and imprisoned”. And he asked them to pray a special prayer: “Unfortunately, in prisons there are many people who take their own lives, sometimes even young. A mother’s love can preserve them from this danger. May the Virgin console all mothers afflicted by the suffering of her children.”

Previously -continuing the new cycle of catechesis on the theme of discernment, started last week – the pontiff mentioned an episode in the life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, a reference figure for reflection on this spiritual dimension. While he was in his convalescent home after being wounded in battle in the leg, he asked for something to read. “He liked stories of chivalry”, remembers Francisco, “but in the house there were only lives of saints. He adapts with some reluctance, but in the course of reading he begins to discover another world, a world that conquers him and that seems compete with that of the knights. He is fascinated by the figures of San Francisco and Santo Domingo and feels the desire to imitate them”.

From all this, the Pope drew an important characteristic: “There is a story that precedes whoever discerns,” he stressed, “a story that is essential to know, because discernment is not a kind of oracle or fatalism, like casting lots for two possibilities. The big questions arise when we have already traveled a stretch of the road in life, and it is to that road that we must return to understand what we are looking for. Ignatius makes his first experience of God listening to his own heart, which shows him a curious investment: things that are attractive at first sight leave him disappointed, and in others, less brilliant, he feels a peace that lasts”.

“We – Francis continued – listen to television, radio, mobile phones, we are masters of listening, but I ask you: do you know how to listen to your heart? And taking up the example of Ignatius, the pontiff invited the faithful to “read the lives of the saints, because they show in a narrative and understandable way the way of God in the lives of people not so different from us. “Their actions speak to ours and help us understand their meaning.” Because “discernment,” he concluded, “is the help to recognize the signs with which the Lord makes himself encountered in unforeseen situations, even unpleasant ones, such as the leg wound for Ignatius.” From them can arise an encounter that changes life, forever “.

Finally, today the Pope once again dedicated a thought to those who suffer in Ukraine and in the other conflicts that stain the world with blood. “In the face of all the war scenarios of our time -said Francis-, I ask each person to be a builder of peace and to pray that thoughts and projects of harmony and reconciliation spread throughout the world. We are living a world war: let us stop! Please! To the Virgin Mary we entrust the victims of all wars, especially the beloved people of Ukraine.”

Photo: Flickr/Ankur Panchbudh