The Communications Department of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal has released a free 300-page bilingual (French/English) publication entitled “Spiritual accompaniment when facing a pandemic.”

Available in both interactive digital and downloadable PDF formats, this eBook is a collection of Archbishop Christian Lépine’s practical reflections and inspiring messages offering spiritual support during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are three categories: Thoughts for the Day, Homilies and Pastoral Letters. 

Click here, to read online (Flipbook)

Click here, to download the pdf

81 Thoughts for the Day/Care for the Soul

As Montreal entered the province-wide confinement period in mid-March following the onset of the pandemic, Archbishop Lépine launched a series of English and French video capsules, called “Thought for the Day/Care for the Soul,” to accompany those struggling as a result of the measures.

From March 16 to July 8, the Archbishop recorded a series of 81 brief video messages that were posted on the diocesan You Tube Channel.  Hundreds of people, regardless of religious affiliation, watched them daily for a total of 25,000 views. For many, the Thought for the Day/Care for the Soul messages provided much needed support in coping with the adverse effects of the pandemic and subsequent confinement.

32 Homilies

Many of the 32 Masses that Archbishop Lépine celebrated during the same period are available on the diocesan You Tube Channel.  The eBook includes a complete collection of his 32 homilies, filling 150-plus pages.

10 Pastoral Letters

The third section of the eBook contains a series of 10 pastoral letters addressed to all the faithful, issued by the Archbishop over the course of the same time period. These letters are also published on the diocesan website: Archbishop’s Publications section.

“Archbishop Lépine has been a true spiritual guide who has accompanied us as we lived through the difficult period of confinement. His words are precious because they do not only apply to back then, but remain pertinent as we continue to experience conflicts, distractions, difficulties in praying,” observes Erika Jacinto, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Montreal.

“We were perhaps more receptive and attentive to what he told us back then, but it is important to take the time to reflect on his words so as to allow ourselves to be nourished continually by his insights, which can sustain us in the trials and tribulations of everyday life,” noted Jacinto, who spearheaded the publication project.