On February 7, 2026, for the observance of World Day of the Sick, Archbishop Christian Lépine invited the faithful to reflect on the meaning of life, the reality of suffering, and our vocation to love. This annual observance serves as a reminder that the Church, together with the wider world, gathers in prayer and solidarity for all who suffer—in body, mind, or heart.

Archbishop Lépine spoke of human life, created in the image of God, as both a gift and a calling: to live fully and to love generously, even in the midst of illness and trials. True challenge, he noted, lies not only in the hardships we face, but in our ability to continue loving despite them.

Even in times of suffering, we are called to give and receive love, to remain present to one another, and to honour our responsibilities to God and those around us. Illness and the approach of death do not halt love; rather, they reveal its depth and resilience. Faithful love—within our families, communities, and relationship with God—expresses the eternal life in which we participate.

In this light, sickness is not merely an obstacle to overcome; it becomes an opportunity to live out our vocation to love more fully. The Archbishop encouraged the faithful to place their lives in God’s hands and to recognize that, above all, our fundamental calling is to love—unceasingly, even in the midst of life’s trials.

Maribel Mayorga
Press Officer, Archbishop's Office and
Director, Communications and Media relations
Archdiocese of Montreal