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PASTORAL LETTERS

Pope Francis has asked us to reach out to those on the periphery. The crisis through
which we are now living can be embraced as an opportunity to learn how to do just that. It
can be seen as an opportunity to re-evaluate how reachable we are, how available we are,
and how well we respond to our neighbors’ needs.

Oftentimes, people of faith, families who pray and thriving parishes feel as though
they are alone, the only ones embracing faith. How can we move beyond this impression
and rediscover that the diocese of Montreal is filled with fervent, courageous People of
God?

Cancelling public masses does not mean that there are no more masses. I thank my
brother priests for celebrating mass in private every day, and through the Holy Spirit, for
presenting Christ’s offering to our Almighty Father together with the intentions of the
faithful for the world and the Church. I welcome initiatives where mass is celebrated “in
camera” and broadcast on television, radio or the Internet.

I thank all those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Breviary): priests, deacons, men
and women of consecrated life and lay faithful who do so. The Liturgy of the Hours is the
prayer of the Church and it is an essential ministry. I thank all those who, in their homes,
pray the rosary, read the Bible reflectively and glorify God in spirit and truth.

Let us remember that Lent, even the very unusual one through which we are
journeying this year, is an intensive time of prayer and fasting, of generosity and sharing.
May the Holy Spirit help us to be creative and to remain open to the needs of our brothers
and sisters throughout the world.

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 241