During the first weeks of February 2026, Archbishop Christian Lépine set out on a pastoral visit across the Archdiocese of Montreal, paying visits to elderly and infirm consecrated men and women living in five residential communities. From February 3 to 17, each visit was shaped by moments of prayer, fellowship, warmth and heartfelt gratitude, bearing witness to the Archbishop's desire to draw close to those who have given their lives in service to the Church.

At each residence, Archbishop Lépine celebrated the Eucharist, shared meals with residents and took time for personal encounters, including visits to those in the infirmary who were unable to take part in the communal celebrations. This personal presence was received with great warmth, both by the consecrated persons themselves and by the staff who accompany them in their daily lives.

Throughout the visits, the Archbishop offered a message of encouragement and hope, reminding all present that vocation does not diminish with age. This season of life, he said, remains a living and essential mission at the heart of the Church, sustained by prayer, witness and faithfulness. He also shared heartening signs of a renewed interest in the faith among young people, noting that this is, in no small part, the fruit of years of prayer and commitment offered by these very communities.

Whether in larger residences housing several communities or in more intimate settings, each encounter fostered a spirit of communion, genuine fellowship and open exchange. Personal testimonies, moments of shared reflection and simple conversation all revealed the enduring richness of consecrated life and the depth of dedication these men and women live out daily.

These pastoral visits proved both life-giving and profoundly meaningful. They offered the Archbishop the opportunity to thank each person individually for their contribution, past and present, to the life of the Church, while assuring them that the wider diocesan family holds them close in prayer.

Above all, these visits brought into the light the quiet strength and living faith of elderly consecrated persons, whose witness continues to sustain and inspire the Church. Their lives, marked by perseverance and generosity, remain a source of hope and a reminder that the mission of the Gospel unfolds at every stage of life.