Pope: Prayer is fundamental to our humanity

“In our time, in contexts dominated by an efficiency-driven and consumerist mindset, prayer may seem pointless and trivial,” the Pope said during his August 5 general audience. “In a world where science and technology claim to provide all the answers, praying may appear to be a form of escapism.”

The Pope focused on the ecclesial dimension of liturgical prayer as presented in the Vatican II constitution, Sacrosanctum Concilium. He warned that prayer is increasingly misunderstood, including within Christian homes.

“Furthermore, even in many Christian families, the tradition of prayer is no longer passed on, whilst many people risk confusing it with just another technique, of a psychological nature aimed at personal wellbeing,” he said.

“Prayer, however, as a fundamental dimension of our humanity, is worth rediscovering in its true form.”

Pope Leo said that Sacrosanctum Concilium took this need seriously. He recalled the words of St Paul VI when the constitution became the first document promulgated by the Second Vatican Council on December 4, 1963.

“God comes first; prayer is our primary duty; the liturgy is the primary source of the divine life communicated to us, the primary school of our spiritual life,” St Paul VI said at the time.

Pope Leo also recalled St Paul VI’s desire that the Liturgy of the Hours – the Church’s daily public prayer, which is inseparable from the Eucharist – would permeate, enliven and guide all Christian prayer.

At a Mass in the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels in Assisi on August 6, Pope Leo encouraged young people to go “to the margins” of society, “where the injustice and arrogance of a few deny the dignity and dreams of many”.

“We are called to read the Scriptures with the Master,” Pope Leo said, “to interpret our times, and to make decisions as we walk in his footsteps. We are here to overcome resignation and fear, to untangle the doubts that hold us back just as they held back the apostles. Jesus calls us into a dialogue with his story so that we may write new pages of history.”

FULL STORY

Pope Leo XIV warns prayer is disappearing from Christian families (By Victorial Cardiel/EWTN News)

In Assisi, Pope encourages young people to ‘touch the suffering flesh of others’ (Vatican News)

RELATED STORY

Pope urges young people in Assisi gathering to reject power and choose peace (National Catholic Reporter)