POPE FRANCIS' INTENTION FOR AUGUST

The Church

Let us pray for the Church, that she may receive from the Holy Spirit, the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the gospel

Every Month, the Pope seeks prayers from the faithful, with a particular intention in mind. This August, 2021, Pope Francis has the Church as a whole in mind. He prays that the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, may reform herself in the light of the Gospel.

There are so many laid down accusations levelled against the Church. Some of the criticisms of the Catholic Church are Sexual abuse cases, alleged financial corruption, Sale of indulgences, abuse of power, heavy taxation, simony and lots more.

Looking at Pope Francis' intention for the month of August from another angle, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC Paragraph 954 of the Vatican Archive explains what the Church really is.

So, if the Church is known to be we the humans in it and not the building, then the Pope's intention for the month of August 2021 simply means that we should praying for one another, that we may receive from the Holy Spirit, the strength to reform ourselves in the light of the Gospel.

We should pray for ourselves in this World, as suggested by James the Apostle. The Church on Earth is the Church Militant.
The Church Suffering are those detained in Purgatory, who are being purged of their Sins. For those who are skeptical about Purgatory, compare 1 John 5:16, where it is related that there are Sins that does not lead to death and Hebrews 12:14, where we are told also that without holiness, no Man can see God. Our Lady of Fatima also suggest we pray, for many Souls go to Hell because they have no one to pray for them. 
The Church Triumphant are Saints. They have attained Heaven. These do not need prayers anymore but, their prayers are needed by the Church Triumphant. We the Church Militant, who pray and offer sacrifices  for the Church suffering also needs the Prayers of the Church Triumphant.

So, let us join Pope Francis in prayer, in the month of August 2021, seeking grace and strength from the Holy Spirit to reform ourselves in the light of the Gospel.