Archbishop Christian Lépine issues a letter for the launch of this year’s Annual Collection on the theme: Hope springs eternal.

Dear collaborator,

This is our third week of the province-wide confinement, and our hope is certainly being tested as we are observing the richest liturgical season in our pastoral year: the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord. Nevertheless, the strength of the Risen Christ impels us to live the coming days with creativity and a sense of wonderment, discerning His presence at the very heart of our life, of our family and our neighbourhood.

The current pandemic situation and the strict containment represent a great challenge for us. To help respond to this challenge, the Archdiocese of Montreal has established five telecommuting working groups. Their purpose is to impart a variety of resources, initiatives, and suggestions to help foster ongoing activity and engagement, to the following circles: parish communities and their accompanying ministries, the Catholic faithful of our diocese, the public. Through these working groups, we seek to support our communities in pursuing their mission in the world.

All these ideas are shared through a new diocesan mean of communication, the website COVID-19 subpage: https://www.diocesemontreal.org/en/covid-19. This page offers numerous resources to continue our missionary initiative together. You will find various “information blocks.”

1. Stay informed: up-to-date information regarding diocesan guidelines, press releases, important news, pastoral letters from the Archbishop;
2. View video clips, “Care of the Soul” series, presented by Archbishop Lépine
3. Pray at home with the Word of God: includes reflections on the Sunday readings (Magnificat) https://www.diocesemontreal.org/en/covid-19/praying-home-with-god-word. Follow daily mass at home: daily mass is broadcast from Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. mass is broadcast live, courtesy of Salt +Light Television. It is then available daylong, beginning at 9:30 a.m., on the diocesan website.
4. Eucharistic Adoration: live-streamed or archived.
5. Children and families, in self-isolation but not alone: resources for children and parents: children and families living their lives in a sane, holy way;
6. Human and Christian solidarity: how does our parish, diocese, Christian, community and family network remain an open Church … when church doors are closed?

Let us remember that Easter, 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.
For an undetermined period, the doors of our churches are closed, but our hearts are open to the call of Jesus: “Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at that person's side.” (Rv 3:20).

During this pandemic, may the Eternal Father fill you with His tenderness; may Jesus Christ shower you with His grace; may the Holy Spirit protect your heart. Together, we believe in the Crucified and Risen Jesus Christ.


Happy Easter!


† Christian Lépine
Archbishop of Montreal

Donate here