Vatican City - This morning, February 25, 2026, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, and the Heads of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia participated in the sixth meditation of the Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia, led by Bishop Erik Varden, O.C.S.O. The central theme of these exercises, "Illuminated by a Hidden Glory," guides the profound reflections of these days, offering a privileged opportunity for inner introspection and spiritual renewal.
The Day’s Opening and the Meditation "A Thousand Shall Fall"
The day began at 9:00 AM with the prayer of the Midday Hour, followed by the meditation titled "A Thousand Shall Fall". This moment of contemplation addressed issues of primary importance for the spiritual life and the mission of the Church.
Drawing from Psalm 90, "A thousand shall fall at your side, ten thousand at your right," Father Erik Varden explored the meaning of falls in the spiritual life and the history of the Church. He explained that falls can humble us when we are puffed up, revealing God’s power to save. They can become milestones on a personal journey of salvation, to be recalled with gratitude. However, he warned against a naïve perspective: not every fall leads to redemption. Some falls, he emphasized, reek hellishly, bringing destruction and suffering, often involving the innocent. This is particularly true when speaking of corruption within the Church, a reality that has deeply damaged its witness. "The worst crisis of the Church,"he stated, "has been brought on, not by secular opposition, but by ecclesiastical corruption."
Bishop Varden called for reflection on how to address these wounds, which demand justice and tears. He noted that, when faced with corruption, there is often a temptation to seek a diseased root or an original error. However, it is not always possible to identify a clear origin. "We can recognize the great and joyful good often manifest in the beginnings of communities now linked with scandal," he observed, cautioning against presuming structural hypocrisy from the outset.
Spiritual Battle and Human Responsibility
A central focus of the meditation was the theme of spiritual battle. Referring to Saint Bernard, who serves as a guide in this Lenten journey, Bishop Varden illustrated how "the spiritual members of the Church are attacked much more terribly than the carnal ones." This is because, on the spiritual battlefield, the most insidious and devastating weapons are aimed at those who aspire to live a profound interior life. While acknowledging the existence of the demonic realm, Varden emphasized that ultimate responsibility lies in how men and women use their sovereign freedom. He explained that progress in the spiritual life requires a harmonious configuration of our physical, affective, and spiritual self. Without this alignment, he warned, spiritual exposure risks seeking outlets in inappropriate areas, rationalizing them as if they were of a higher order.
The Integrity of the Spiritual Teacher
Another crucial point of the meditation was the call for the integrity of spiritual teachers. The bishop stressed that this integrity is demonstrated not only in preaching and teaching but also in daily habits, such as online behavior, conduct at the table, or interpersonal relationships. "The spiritual life is not an adjunct to the rest of existence. It is its soul," he affirmed, urging vigilance over both the carnal and spiritual nature, without falling into dualisms.
The Day’s Program
The day will continue at 5:00 PM with the meditation titled "I Will Glorify Him," followed by Eucharistic Adoration and Vespers. This concluding moment of the day will offer an additional opportunity for recollection and prayer, in line with the overarching theme of the spiritual exercises.
Fr.F.V.
Silere non possum
