杏MAP导航 in Luxembourg: Service, mission, and joy are at the heart of the Gospel
By Francesca Merlo
As the final event of the first leg of his 46th Apostolic Journey abroad, 杏MAP导航 Francis addressed a gathering of Luxembourg鈥檚 Catholic community. The event coincided with a Marian Jubilee, marking four centuries of devotion to Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted.
Speaking to the faithful gathered in Luxembourg鈥檚 Notre-Dame Cathedral, 杏MAP导航 Francis focused on three key themes: service, mission, and joy.
A Church called to serve
Addressing the first word, 鈥渟erve鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that serving is an action which "is at the very heart of the Gospel鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted that in a nation with a long tradition of welcoming those in need, there is a huge urgency of hospitality, it is not only a matter of charity, he said, 鈥渂ut also justice鈥�. He praised Luxembourg's openness, urging the faithful to remain steadfast in this practice. "The spirit of the Gospel is a spirit of welcoming, of openness to everyone; it does not admit any kind of exclusion鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航.
The Church in a secularised society
杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� second point of his address highlighted the Church鈥檚 mission in an increasingly secular society, stressing the need for the Church to embrace this evolution without losing sight of its core values. "We cannot close ourselves off in sadness, resignation, or resentment," said the 杏MAP导航, inviting the Catholic of Luxembourg, to instead be 鈥渄ynamic鈥�, always responding to the challenges of the times. This, he said, is done by being a 鈥渕issionary Church鈥�.
With this in mind, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged a spirit of synodality as a means of strengthening community life and spreading the Gospel message.
The joy of the Gospel
The third theme 杏MAP导航 Francis explored was joy, which he described as 鈥渁n integral part of Christian faith鈥�. He reflected on the testimony of Diogo, a young man who shared his joyful experience at World Youth Day. 杏MAP导航 Francis said that Diogo鈥檚 joy is emblematic of the Gospel message. "Our faith is full of joy, it is a 'dance', because we know that we are children of a God who is our friend," he said.
The 杏MAP导航 also spoke of the unique Spring Procession in Luxembourg. This procession, where the faithful, accompanied by pilgrims, dance through the streets as they commemorate Saint Willibrord鈥檚 missionary efforts " becomes a great unified dance," he said.
Bringing his address to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis reminded the faithful that the mission entrusted to them is "beautiful鈥�.
鈥淟et us console and serve, following Mary鈥檚 example and with her help," he concluded.
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