Lenten Retreat Preacher opens Religious Workouts within the Vatican

[ad_1] The Lenten Religious Workouts for Pope Leo XIV, Cardinals residing in Rome, and heads of Dicasteries open on Sunday afternoon with the meditation of Trappist Bishop Erik Varden on the theme of “Getting into Lent.”

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The Religious Workouts for Lent within the Vatican started Sunday, February 22, at 5 p.m. within the Pauline Chapel, within the presence of Pope Leo XIV, Cardinals residing in Rome, and heads of Dicasteries.

The annual Lenten Workouts can be preached by Bishop Erik Varden, on the theme “Illuminated by a Hidden Glory.” The Cistercian of the Strict Observance (Trappists) has served as Bishop of Trondheim in Norway since 2019.

On Sunday, he delivered his first reflection on the theme “Getting into Lent,” publishing a summary of the discourse on his website .

From Monday, February 23, till its conclusion on February 27, Bishop Varden will preach two meditations every day, one at 9:00 a.m., preceded by Mid-Morning Prayer, and at 5:00 p.m., adopted by Eucharistic Adoration and Vespers.

Two meditations on Saint Bernard are scheduled: “Saint Bernard, the Idealist” and “Saint Bernard, the Realist,” scheduled for the afternoon of February 26. Different themes embody: God’s assist; Turning into free; The splendor of reality; A thousand will fall; “I'll glorify Him”; The angels of God; On consideration; concluding with the ultimate meditation targeted on “Speaking hope.”

In his remarks at first of the Religious Workouts on Sunday, Bishop Varden stresses that Lent confronts us with necessities: "it takes us, materially and symbolically, into an area stripped of superfluities."

He notes that issues apt to distract us, even issues healthful in themselves, are eliminated for a season, and reiterates how we're to embrace an abstinence of the senses.

Specifically, the Preacher underscores that Christians are to battle in opposition to vices and dangerous passions, however to pursue and be individuals of peace.

Earlier than concluding, Bishop Varden cites St Bernard of Clairvaux as a mannequin, who understood "what it means to stay by grace as we combat evil, foster good, uphold reality, and comply with the exodus path from unfreedom in direction of the land of promise..."