Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of May, and urges everyone to pray for young Catholics to be courageous in their response to God’s call.

By Devin Watkins

As the Church marks the Marian month of May and prepares for the upcoming World Meeting of Families in late June, Pope Francis is urging Catholics to pray for young people and their response to God’s call to holiness.

The Pope released his monthly prayer intention on Tuesday in a video prepared by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

He held up the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model for Christian family life.

“When I think of a model with whom young people can identify, our Mother, Mary, always comes to mind: her courage, the way she knew how to listen, and her dedication to service.”

Building a better world
Pope Francis lauded Mary’s courageous and determined “yes” to the Lord, and called on young Catholics to imitate her readiness to improve the world.

He said young people must learn to take risks, in order to “build something new, a better world.”

“Don’t forget that in order to follow Mary you need to discern and discover what Jesus wants from you, not what you might think you can do,” said the Pope.

Wisdom of the ages
Grandparents, he added, can provide an excellent source of wisdom as we seek to discern God’s will for our lives.

“In those words of grandparents, you will find a wisdom that will take you beyond the issues of the moment,” he said.

Discernment, faith, service
Pope Francis wrapped up his video message by inviting everyone to pray for young people as they make their way through life.

“Let us pray, brothers and sisters, that all young people, called to live life to the fullest, may discover in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage of faith, and dedication to service.”

Vocation to service
A press release accompanying The Pope Video said the prayer intention for May was produced in collaboration with the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.

May’s prayer intention marks the first in a three-part series, with June’s to focus on the family and July’s on the elderly.

Fr. Federic Fornos, SJ, the International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, noted that Pope Francis has always insisted on the relationship between generations, especially between grandparents and grandchildren.

He said the Pope is calling especially for young people to engage in service to others, as a result of mature discernment of God’s call to holiness.

View the video