Pope: Educating is a great form of evangelization

In his last general audience before the summer break, Francis recalled the missionary zeal of St. Mary MacKillop, who spent her life educating the poor in rural Australia. "May Saints Peter and Paul sustain us in following Christ and intercede for peace in Ukraine."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Catholic education is a great form of evangelization," especially when it puts caring for the poor and marginalized first, said Pope Francis today to pilgrims present in St. Peter's Square for the general audience, the last before the usual July break (audiences will resume on Wednesday, Aug. 9).

Continuing his reflection on zeal in evangelization starting with some great missionary figures, today the pontiff dedicated his catechesis to the example offered by St. Mary MacKillop (1842-1909), foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who dedicated her life to the intellectual and religious formation of the poor in rural Australia.

"Convinced that she was sent to spread the Good News and to attract others to an encounter with the living God, and wisely reading the signs of the times," he explained, "she understood that for her the best way to do this was through the education of the young, in the knowledge that Catholic education is a great form of evangelization.

An essential feature of her zeal for the Gospel consisted in caring for the poor and marginalized. "A person cannot go forward in holiness unless he also devotes himself to them in one way or another. They, who need the Lord's help, carry the presence of the Lord."

And this caring for the poor and marginalized "pushed Mary to go where others would not or could not go. On March 19, 1866, the feast of St. Joseph, she opened the first school in a small suburb in South Australia. Many others followed that she and her sisters founded in rural communities. They multiplied, because apostolic zeal does that: it multiplies works."

"Education is not about filling the head with ideas" but about "accompanying and encouraging students on the path of human and spiritual growth, showing them how much friendship with the Risen Jesus dilates the heart and makes life more human. To educate is to help to think well: to feel well - the language of the heart - and to do well - the language of the hands. This vision is fully relevant today, when we feel the need for an 'educational pact' capable of uniting families, schools and the whole of society."

The pontiff also emphasized the great trust in Providence that always guided this Australian saint: "She had to pay the bills," he commented, "deal with local bishops and priests, manage the schools and take care of the professional and spiritual formation of her Sisters; and, later, health problems. Yet through it all, she remained calm, patiently carrying the cross that is an integral part of mission."

Mary MacKillop "did not give up in times of trial and darkness, when her joy was dampened by opposition and rejection. She remained convinced that even when the Lord assigned her 'the bread of affliction and the water of tribulation' (Is 30:20), the same Lord would soon answer her cry and surround her with his grace. This is the secret of apostolic zeal: continuous relationship with the Lord."

"May the missionary discipleship of St. Mary MacKillop, her creative response to the needs of the Church of her time, her commitment to the integral formation of young people," the pope concluded, "inspire all of us today, who are called to be a leaven of the Gospel in our rapidly changing societies. May his example and intercession support the daily work of parents, teachers, catechists and all educators, for the good of young people and for a more humane and hope-filled future."

Finally, recalling in his greetings to Italian pilgrims the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, which is celebrated tomorrow, Francis hoped that "the example and protection of these two apostles will sustain each of us in following Christ. To their intercession we entrust the dear Ukrainian people, so that they may soon find peace: there is so much suffering in Ukraine, let us not forget."