VATICAN CITY — The annual Lenten Spiritual Exercises for Pope Leo XIV, the cardinals residing in Rome, and the heads of Vatican dicasteries opened on Sunday afternoon with an opening meditation by Erik Varden on the theme “Entering Lent.”
The retreat began at 5:00 p.m. on February 22 inside the Pauline Chapel, marking the start of five days of prayer, silence, and spiritual reflection for the leadership of the Catholic Church.
“Illuminated by a Hidden Glory”
This year’s Exercises are being preached by Bishop Varden under the overarching theme “Illuminated by a Hidden Glory.”
The Trappist bishop, a member of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, has led the Diocese of Trondheim since 2019.
On Sunday, he opened the retreat with his first reflection, “Entering Lent,” and released a summary on his website shortly afterward.
Daily Schedule of Meditations
From Monday, February 23 to Friday, February 27, Bishop Varden will deliver two meditations each day:
- 9:00 a.m. – Meditation, preceded by Mid-Morning Prayer
- 5:00 p.m. – Meditation, followed by Eucharistic Adoration and Vespers
Among the themes scheduled throughout the week are:
- God’s Help
- Becoming Free
- The Splendor of Truth
- A Thousand Will Fall
- I Will Glorify Him
- The Angels of God
- On Consideration
- Final meditation: Communicating Hope
Two major conferences on St Bernard of Clairvaux — “Saint Bernard, the Idealist” and “Saint Bernard, the Realist” — are set for the afternoon of February 26.
“Lent strips away the superfluous”
In his opening address, Bishop Varden reflected on the spiritual heart of Lent, describing it as a season that “confronts us with essentials.”
Lent, he said, “takes us materially and symbolically into a space stripped of superfluities.”
He highlighted:
- The need to remove distractions — even wholesome ones — for a time
- The discipline of abstinence of the senses
- The battle against vices and harmful passions
- The Christian calling to become people characterized by peace
Before concluding, Bishop Varden turned again to St Bernard of Clairvaux, presenting him as a model of monastic clarity and spiritual courage:
St Bernard understood “what it means to live by grace as we fight evil, foster good, uphold truth, and follow the exodus path from unfreedom toward the land of promise.”
The preacher urged all present to embrace “loving and clear-headed discipleship” as they enter this sacred season.