The priests of our diocese have just completed a Common Retreat of reflection, prayer and spiritual renewal. We joined the 130 priests who attended the five-day retreat, which occurred in two sessions. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the fraternal bonds that unite our priests with us, their bishops.
We would like to thank all of you who prayed for our priests, and express our gratitude for your ongoing support and for the love you hold for them in your hearts.
On 8 June 2018, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. This day is a precious occasion for priests to thank the Lord for the incredible gift of priesthood and to renew their commitment to grow in holiness and to be faithful always to Christ and His Church.
On this day, the Church invites us to pray for our priests. May their words always be Christ’s words, their gestures always be Christ’s gestures, and their lives always be a faithful reflection of His life. May they never become discouraged by the difficulties they encounter in their ministry, but rather energized by challenges which will guide them to look constantly and closely toward Jesus, who made the Cross the instrument of love and divine mercy, and who wants to transform the heart of every person.
In his recent Apostolic Exhortation, promulgated on April 9, Pope Francis speaks of the vocation to holiness of all the baptized regardless of their state of life. The pope affirms that, “Holiness consists in a habitual openness to transcendence, expressed in prayer and adoration. The saints are distinguished by a spirit of prayer and a need for communion with God” (Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exsultate, n.147).
Please continue to pray for our priests. May we, priests, religious and laity, young and old, be united in prayer. May we all strive to be holy, as our heavenly Father is Holy.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B. Bishop of London
Most Reverend Joseph Dabrowski, C.S.M.A. Auxiliary Bishop of London