On Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2026, catechists and faith educators from across the diocese gathered at the former Grand Séminaire de Montréal for a day of spiritual renewal during the Lenten season.

The day was organized by Lucile Chiron, Lay Pastoral Agent (agente de pastorale laïque) for the parishes of Notre-Dame de l'Alliance and Saint-Paul de la Croix. What began as an initiative conceived for her own local communities was opened, in a spirit of generous collaboration, to participants from further afield. Those who responded came from Notre-Dame de l'Alliance, Saint-Paul de la Croix, Saints Martyrs du Vietnam, Notre-Dame d'Anjou, and several other parts of the diocese.

Spiritual animation throughout the day was provided by the Communauté des Semences du Verbe (Seeds of the Word Community), a contemplative and missionary congregation recently established in Montreal, whose charism of deep attentiveness to Scripture gave the day much of its shape and direction.

Returning to What Matters

Over coffee, participants were warmly welcomed into an atmosphere that would carry through the entire day. A hymn to the Holy Spirit opened the morning. Christine, a consecrated laywoman, then introduced the Communauté des Semences du Verbe, speaking to their charism centred on the Word of God.

The theme of the day, "The Gift of Self," ran through every teaching and period of reflection. Those present were invited to rediscover the deeper meaning of their commitment within the Church as a response to a personal call from the Lord, after the example of Christ who gives himself fully and unconditionally out of love.

A Journey of Conversion

The opening session drew participants more deeply into the spirit of Lent. The season, the reflections made clear, is not a succession of sacrifices to be endured, but a genuine path of conversion. Seen in this light, the renunciations Lent calls us to make prepare us to receive the Lord and renew our faithfulness in every area of life.

The teachings also returned to a foundational truth: that God is love, goodness and mercy, and that he is, above all, a God who gives himself completely, in creation and supremely in his Passion. In contemplating this self-giving God, each person is invited to find the strength to give in turn, freely and without expectation of return. That unconditional gift of self, the day proposed, leads to forgiveness and bears fruit in joy and new life.

The Word at the Heart of Mission

The afternoon gathered around a lectio divina on the Gospel account of the man born blind. Participants moved through the traditional stages of this spiritual exercise, reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation, as an act of devotion and more, allowing the Word to take root and find expression in concrete, everyday action.

The Eucharist followed. In his homily, Father Ushindi Kambale of Notre-Dame de l'Alliance offered a personal and moving reflection on the total gift of self to God, drawing on the Gospel image of the mud placed on the eyes of the blind man, inviting the group to let the Lord open their sight and offer him, in turn, their definitive “yes.”

Fellowship and Mission

After Mass, participants shared a meal together, extending the spirit of the day in relaxed and unhurried conversation. The gathering concluded with a time of adoration and praise in the chapel, from which each person departed renewed, strengthened, and carrying within them the joy that comes from self-giving.

We give thanks for this initiative, and for all those who serve, day after day, in helping nurture the faith within their communities.

Karin Perea
Evangelization and Christian Life
Archdiocese of Montreal