At the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis held up Mary’s “yes” to God as a powerful example of trust and obedience, especially in the face of life’s trials. He encouraged the faithful to follow Mary’s example, saying “yes” to God’s will in their own lives.
The Holy Father explained that Marian piety is a special means by which the Holy Spirit carries out his work of sanctification. He emphasized that Mary, as the first disciple and figure of the Church, leads us to Jesus, never pointing to herself but always to her Son.
Pope Francis reflected on Mary’s “yes” at the Annunciation, where she accepted God’s plan to become the Mother of Jesus. He described this moment as Mary offering herself as a “blank page” for God to write upon.
The Pope highlighted the unique bond between Mary and the Holy Spirit, evident in the Gospel accounts of the Annunciation and Pentecost. He also cited St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer, which greets Mary as “daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, Spouse of the Holy Spirit.”
Pope Francis concluded by emphasizing Mary’s role as a disciple of the Holy Spirit, encouraging the faithful to learn from her docility to the Spirit’s inspirations. He urged them to be quick to respond to the Spirit’s promptings, especially in serving those in need.