The Lenten Spiritual Exercises for Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials commenced on Sunday afternoon. Trappist Bishop Erik Varden, Bishop of Trondheim, Norway, is preaching the annual Lenten Exercises. The overarching theme for the exercises is “Illuminated by a Hidden Glory.” Bishop Varden delivered his initial reflection on Sunday, titled “Entering Lent.” The exercises run from Sunday through February 27, featuring two meditations daily, including specific reflections on Saint Bernard.
9 days ago
The annual Lenten Spiritual Exercises for Pope Leo XIV, cardinals in Rome, and Roman Curia heads began February 22, 2026, in the Vatican’s Pauline Chapel.2 3
Bishop Erik Varden, Trappist bishop of Trondheim, Norway, leads the retreat themed “Illuminated by a Hidden Glory,” drawing heavily from St. Bernard of Clairvaux.1 2
The event runs through February 27, with daily meditations, prayers, adoration, and Vespers.2
Varden’s first reflection emphasized Lent’s essentials, stripping away distractions and superfluities.2
He urged abstinence from senses, battling vices while pursuing peace, modeling discipleship after St. Bernard’s grace-filled fight against evil.2
In the fourth meditation, Varden addressed modern “freedom” debates, noting its rhetorical use in politics and conflicts.1 3
True Christian freedom, per St. Bernard, roots in Christ’s obedience to the Father, embracing crucified love over force.1 3
He warned against ideologies manipulating freedom for oppression, stressing personal freedom that respects others.1 3
The fifth meditation explored ambition as untruth—a “secret virus” alienating the mind from truth.1 4
Varden invoked Pilate’s question, urging response amid confusion with Christ’s light and Vatican II’s call to holiness.1 4
Truth convinces through embodied sanctity, not temporizing.4
The sixth meditation on Psalm 90’s “thousand shall fall” distinguished humbling falls from destructive ones.5 6
Varden highlighted Church corruption—especially abuse—as self-inflicted wounds demanding justice and tears.5 6
Scandals arise not always from predictable roots but spiritual-carnal imbalance; integrity spans all life aspects.5 6
He rejected simplistic “monsters and victims” views, advocating holistic human nature integration under Christ.6
Varden’s talks challenge Curia leaders to clear-eyed faith amid societal tensions and internal crises.1
Themes unify around St. Bernard: grace combats unfreedom, truth shines in holiness, vigilance guards against ruin.3 4 5
Examine Catholic doctrine on freedom and truth amid abuse
Human freedom is a core aspect of the imago Dei, endowed by the spiritual faculties of intellect and will. It is defined as "the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility". This freedom enables individuals to shape their lives, fostering growth in truth and goodness, and reaches perfection when oriented toward God as our ultimate beatitude. As an "outstanding manifestation of the divine image," it distinguishes human acts, making persons responsible for their deliberate choices.
Yet, freedom is not absolute or license for self-indulgence. "The exercise of freedom does not imply a right to say or do everything." Misuse arises from false notions of autonomy, viewing man as "an individual who is fully self-sufficient and whose finality is the satisfaction of his own interests in the enjoyment of earthly goods." Such deviations from the moral law imprison the person, disrupt fellowship, and rebel against divine truth. External conditions—economic, social, political, and cultural—must support just exercise of freedom; their neglect fosters injustice and tempts sin against charity.
Truth is intrinsically linked to God, who is "Truth itself, whose words cannot deceive." Scripture affirms: "The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever." The faithful, anointed by the Holy Spirit, share in handing on revealed truth, growing in understanding through contemplation, theological research, spiritual experience, and the preaching of bishops.
The Church's Sacred Scriptures "firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures." Faith and reason harmonize: "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason," as both derive from the same God.
Sexual abuse, particularly of minors, epitomizes the perversion of freedom and assault on truth. It inflicts "real wounds in their human dignity," scarring victims' minds and bodies with "sufferings that can last a lifetime and that no repentance can remedy." This violates the "respect, freedom and physical and moral integrity to which every person has a right," as abusers distort sexual love through power and domination.
Such acts stem from a "deep-seated crisis of sexual morality, even of human relationships," betraying trust and harming the young and family. Clerical abuse compounds this, rooted in clericalism and abuse of power, conscience, and authority—"obstacles, sometimes imposing ones, to advancing in the direction of 'journeying together.'" Victims' cries have too often gone unheard, demanding ecclesial compunction and conversion.
Abuse misuses the freedom that should lead to God, instead imprisoning both perpetrator and victim, rebelling against truth. It contradicts the Church's commitment to "the fullness of Catholic truth on matters of sexual morality," essential for renewing priesthood, episcopate, marriage, and family.
The Church mandates bishops to protect minors, assist victims spiritually and psychologically, educate communities, and cooperate with civil authorities—reporting crimes as required by law. "There is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those who would harm the young." Formation must screen and form future clerics accordingly.
Guidelines emphasize listening to victims with compassion, as modeled by Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II: "You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated." Preliminary investigations respect privacy and the accused's right to respond, while prioritizing safety.
This response polices freedom toward truth: addressing abuse clarifies moral crises for society, combats clericalism, and fosters synodality—all under the Holy Spirit's guidance.
In summary, Catholic doctrine presents freedom as God-oriented responsibility and truth as unerring divine reality. Abuse brutally violates both, wounding dignity and trust. The Church, compelled by truth, responds with victim-centered justice, prevention, and conversion, ensuring freedom serves beatitude rather than sin.