Archdiocese of Toronto Priests Gather for Annual Retreat

Approximately 300 priests from the Archdiocese of Toronto took part in their yearly spiritual retreat these past few weeks (May 6-9 or 13-16).  The purpose of the priest retreat is to provide priests with some well-needed time away with the Lord for spiritual renewal, to strengthen their spiritual identity, and to allow for ongoing spiritual growth.

This year the priests of Toronto were blessed to have Fr. Jacques Philippe as their retreat director.  Fr. Philippe is a prolific spiritual writer and speaker.  His numerous writings cover such themes as prayer, peace of heart, interior freedom, mercy, the Holy Spirit, and priestly fatherhood. The theme of this year’s priest retreat was: The Spiritual Fatherhood of Priests.  

During the retreat, our priests were able to reflect on both the need for and the gift of fatherhood (especially spiritual fatherhood), the importance of a father’s blessing, what makes for true fatherhood, living the first beatitude (blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God), and on the importance of fatherhood in the priest’s ministry.

It was a grace-filled and spiritually enriching experience for all involved.  Let us continue to pray for priests, especially those in the Archdiocese of Toronto, that they may continue to be formed in the image of the eternal Father.