Lenten spiritual exercises for Popes past and present

Pope Benedict and members of the curia will be doing their Lenten spiritual exercises this week:

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 5, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI and his aides in the Roman Curia began Spiritual Exercises, a weeklong retreat during which the Pope will refrain from all audiences.

The Holy Father and the Curia officials began the traditional Lenten retreat today in the afternoon. The retreat continues until Saturday morning.

Cardinal Marco Cé, retired patriarch of Venice, Italy, will preach the retreat on the theme "Walking with Jesus towards Easter, Led by the Evangelist Mark."

In his Angelus address today the Pope said that these spiritual exercises "will help me and my collaborators of the Roman Curia enter with greater awareness in this characteristic Lenten climate, … a favorable time for a careful revision of life in recollection, prayer and penance."

The Holy Father asked the faithful to "support me with your prayers" and assured them of his "prayer before the Lord so that, for all Christians, Lent will be an occasion of conversion and a more courageous impulse to holiness."

In an interview on Vatican Radio, Cardinal Cé revealed that the central message of his meditations will be that "God loves this world of ours and desires to save it with the death and resurrection of Jesus. I want to give everyone a message of hope."

The exercises began in the Mater Redemptoris Chapel with the exposition of the Eucharist, vespers, an introductory meditation, adoration and Benediction.

Cardinal Cé will preach three meditations each day. There will also be daily recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, adoration and benediction.

Yesterday I received as a gift the lenten spiritual exercises given by Cardinal Schonborn for Pope John Paul II in 1996 entitled "Loving the Church." Excellent reading so far, and Amazon has it for under $10.