"Together in Mission!" Since the fall of 2018, this unifying call has been at the heart of our reflection and collective efforts within the Church in Montreal. Recent discussions around synodality (our way of "walking together") have underscored the need to strengthen fraternal bonds across the diocese, with a key focus on strengthening the connection between the archbishop and clergy. Last December, Archbishop Christian Lépine, alongside his vicars general, Bishop Alain Faubert and Mr. Charles Langlois, p.s.s., embarked on a series of "Visitations."

Below is a brief account of one of these meetings. Other similar meetings, involving small groups of priests, have already taken place and some are scheduled over the coming weeks across other deaneries within our diocese.

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we were graciously received at Notre-Dame-du-Bel-Amour parish for a pastoral visit. In the spirit of mission, there's a saying in Lingala, one of the national languages of the Democratic Republic of Congo: "Papa Aye, Nzala esili," which translates to "Papa's arrival has eased our hunger." This visit marked the pastoral and fraternal outreach of Archbishop Christian Lépine and Bishop Alain Faubert to the priests serving in the French-speaking deanery of Cartierville-Bordeaux-St Laurent within our Archdiocese of Montreal.

Approximately fifteen individuals participated in this gathering, including two seminarians from the Sainte-Croix religious community, parish priests, vicars, priests engaged in healthcare, those involved in humanitarian projects, and even retired priests still actively serving. The visit commenced with a warm reception, followed by a moment of communal prayer and heartfelt discussions about the challenges and triumphs experienced by these dedicated clergy members.

Of particular note was the insightful input from two seminarians—one preparing for the diaconate and the other still in formation at the Grand Seminary of Montreal—offering their perspectives on pastoral care within our archdiocese. The meeting proved fruitful, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared purpose, which was further enhanced by a relaxed self-service cold buffet that followed.

Father Jean-Marie Bilwala Kabesa (Translated into English)

Related article: Together in Mission: A Pastoral Visit to Priests