"Mary is truly humble and doesn’t want
to show off. She acknowledges being little before God and is happy to be so. At
the same time, she is aware that the realization of God’s plan depends on her
answer, and that therefore she is called to adhere to it with her whole self.
In this circumstance, Mary appears with an attitude that corresponds perfectly to that of the Son of God when He
comes into the world: He wants to become the Servant of the Lord, to put
himself at the service of humanity to fulfill the Father’s plan. Mary
says: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord”; and, entering the world, the Son
of God says: “Lo, I have come to do thy will” (Hebrews 10:7, 9). Mary’s
attitude fully reflects this statement of the Son of God, who becomes also Son
of Mary. Thus Our Lady reveals herself a perfect collaborator of God’s plan,
and she reveals herself also a disciple of her Son, and in the Magnificat
she is able to proclaim that God has “exalted those of low degree” (Luke 1:52),
because with her humble and generous response she obtained a lofty joy and also
a lofty glory."
--Pope Francis, Angelus Address, December 24, 2017
"I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form
of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor.
Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash
judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not
present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our
words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at
work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian
communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and
peace."
--Pope Leo XIV, Message for Lent 2026
"In this immersion of God in human suffering and in the abyss of evil lies
the root of our justification. The 'return to God with all your
heart' in our Lenten journey passes through the cross, following Christ on
the road to Calvary, the total gift of self. It is a way on which to learn
every day to come out more and more from our selfishness and our closures, to
make room for God who opens and transforms the heart. And Saint Paul recalls how
the announcement of the Cross resounds to us through the preaching of the Word...
it is a call for us to make this Lenten journey characterized by a more careful and assiduous listening to the
Word of God, the light that illuminates our steps."
--Pope Benedict XVI, Homily, February 13, 2013
