The Video of the Pope with the prayer intention for the month of July is entitled 'For Formation Towards Discernment'. As usual, it has been produced by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Networkin collaboration with the Diocese of Brooklyn. In two minutes, the voice and an unpublished prayer of Leo XIV to the Holy Spirit accompany the journey of a young girl in a forest, who needs to find her way.
The young woman looks around, stops, and walks again with a compass and a map. She stops again, opens the Gospel, and finds a statue of Mary. Prayer, in silence and in listening, shows her the way.
Pope Leo XIV's prayer to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment in the path of our heart concludes with an Augustinian-inspired plea. 'Grant me to know better what moves me, so that I may reject that which leads me away from Christ, and thus love and serve him more.'
The Pope's prayer to the Holy Spirit
"Let us pray that we may learn more and more to discern, to know how to choose life's paths and to reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel". This is how the Pope begins his prayer in the Video, whose voice-over is the only one that can be heard.
He then turns to the Holy Spirit, while the young woman is seen on the road:
"Holy Spirit, light of our understanding,
sweet encouragement in our decisions,
give me the grace to listen attentively to your voice
to discern the secret ways of my heart,
in order to capture what's really important to you
and free my heart from its afflictions.
I ask for the grace to learn to stop
to become aware of the way I act,
of the feelings that dwell in me, of the feelings that I have, of the
thoughts that invade me, and that, many times,
I am unable to recognize.
I want my choices to
lead me to the joy of the Gospel.
Even if I have to go through moments of doubt and fatigue,
even if I have to struggle, reflect, search and start all over again...
Because, at the end of the day,
your comfort is the fruit of the right decision.
Grant me to know better what moves me,
to reject that which leads me away from Christ, so that I may love and serve Him more.
Amen
Pauses for prayer
The art of discernment, already recommended by St. Paul (Rom 12:2) at the beginning of the Church's history, is today more necessary than ever, assures the World Network of Prayer in a note.
"In the midst of the rush of daily life, we must learn to pause and create sacred moments for prayer," comments Msgr. Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn. "It is in these quiet spaces of attentive listening," the prelate continues, "that we discover which paths truly matter. Thus we find the discernment to choose what truly leads to the joy that comes only from God."
Training, fundamental
The international director of the Pope's World Prayer Network, Fr. Cristobal Fones, S.J., explains that "formation for discernment is fundamental for navigating a complex world. It includes prayer, personal reflection, Scripture study and spiritual accompaniment. Cultivating a deep relationship with Jesus is most important. In this way we can recognize his voice in the midst of so many voices in the world and have the clarity needed to make our decisions based on a more human purpose and horizon."
Leo XIV's rest at Castel Gandolfo
On the afternoon of Thursday, July 3, the Pope visited Castel Gandolfo, where he will spend a period of rest in July from Sunday, in principle until July 20, although he will return between August 15 and 17.
Castel Gandolfo is the summer residence of the Popes, except for Francis, who chose to stay at the Vatican during his years as Pontiff. It is located about 25 kilometers southeast of Rome, in the Lazio region of Italy, overlooks Lake Albano, and is just a few minutes by helicopter from the Vatican. Its temperatures are cooler.
Leo XIV's visit focused on examining the state of the works a few days before his move to Villa Barberini, in the Borgo Laudato Si' of Castel Gandolfo. He will therefore reside in this villa, not in the Palace, which is still a museum.
Pope's public agenda
About the public appearances of the Pope in these days, the Vatican has reported the following:
- Sunday, July 6, Angelus in St. Peter's Square.
- Sunday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m., Holy Mass in the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo. At 12:00 noon, Angelus in Piazza della Libertà, Castel Gandolfo.
- Sunday, July 20, at 9:30 a.m., Holy Mass in the Cathedral of Albano. At 12:00 noon, Angelus in Piazza della Libertà, Castel Gandolfo.
In the afternoon, the Holy Father will return to the Vatican.
- Friday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m., Holy Mass in the Pontifical Parish of Castel Gandolfo, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At 12:00 noon, Angelus in Piazza della Libertà.
- Sunday, August 17 at 12:00 noon, Angelus in Piazza della Libertà, Castel Gandolfo.
In the afternoon, the Holy Father will return to the Vatican.
The Holy See communiqué informed that in July all private audiences are suspended, as well as the general audiences on Wednesdays 2, 9, 16 and 23.
Youth Jubilee: July 28-August 3, Tor Vergata
On Wednesday, July 30, the general audiences will resume. But before that, on July 28, the first of the Youth JubileeThe main events of which can be consulted at here.
As can be seen, after the welcoming Holy Mass on Tuesday, July 29 in St. Peter's Square, a Vigil with Pope Leo XIV will take place on Saturday, August 2 at Tor Vergata at 8:30 pm.
Then, on Sunday, August 3, Holy Mass presided by the Pope at Tor Vergata, at 9:00 a.m., at the conclusion of this Jubilee of Youth.
