Source: Cartagena Bishopric
The priests of the Diocese of Cartagena have made a Lenten retreat this morning with Mgr. Lorca Planes in the Sanctuary of Fuensanta. After the prayer of the Intermediate Hour, the Bishop of Cartagena wanted to offer the priests some ideas for this day of reflection in communion urging them to pay attention to Christ and to place themselves in the hands of Mary, the Virgin of Fuensanta, «who in this moment is in the Cathedral listening to the prayers of all Murcia.
«We have no other glory but to serve, with hope and hope. Serving for us is the best lesson we have learned from Jesus. » Quoting Pope Francis in his message for this Lent, in which he invites to be courageous and restore hearts as Christians, the Bishop wanted to highlight the importance of renewing «the desire to serve the people of God.» Likewise, he has encouraged the priests to approach the despised and weak, the sick, the invisible, «as good shepherds whose end is none other than taking care of the flock that has been entrusted to us» while being aware of the need for » to be interested in all and to live the real commitment of a life giving service to the needy. Priests are not philanthropists or officials, but fathers and brothers. »
Bishop Lorca has asked the priests present in this retreat to be transparent before God accepting to be the last and reminding them of the importance of holding on to the cross looking to Christ to imitate him. In addition, he has invited them to renew the joy of the encounter with the Lord «to transform it into fidelity and strength».
For the Prelate this Lenten retreat is an opportunity «to approach the Lord and to tell him here we are to do your will, to pray together and live the experience of a priest who is close to Go