On February 19, 2026, Archbishop Emeritus Valery Vienneau presented a reflection on this year’s theme of Lent to the Sisters of Royal Court, Riverview, NB., Canada.

Archbishop Vienneau has honored us with his presence before, notably during our last annual retreat. We were very touched by his simplicity and depth.  We were delighted to see him again this year! What a gift for us as we begin our Lenten journey!

The theme for Lent 2026

We began our day with the Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Vienneau. He then continued with his presentation on the theme of Lent: “Have faith, Jesus is leading us.”   

The five points of his presentation

– The prophet Habakkuk, a discreet biblical figure but one who is deeply relevant to our experience. He lived in a time of great crisis: violence, injustice, political threat, and God’s apparent silence. Habakkuk discovered that faith is not about understanding everything, but about continuing to trust when understanding ends.

– Jesus – God’s presence in our lives.  Monseigneur reminds us that faith is not primarily an explanation, but a relationship.  God does not spare us from the darkness of life, but He remains by our side. Jesus walks with us every day. We fundamentally trust him without really understanding everything that happens to us. Lent does not ask us to do more, but rather to consider it a time to let ourselves be loved as we are.

– Being witnesses of trust by trusting in everyday life: As we grow older, we wonder what it really means to trust in today’s world.   Having trust does not mean that we have all the answers, but believing that even when we are fragile, tired, or uncertain, we know that God is there.  This is not magic; this belief comes from prayer, faithfulness, and sometimes darkness.

– The four Gospels during Lent.   Monsignor Vienneau reminds us that the Gospels for the Sundays of Lent 2026 light our way. He tells us about the Samaritan woman, the man born blind, and finally Martha and Mary. All these stories remind us that trust can help us get through whatever life throws at us and open us up to a deeper life.

And finally, the witnesses  

To conclude his reflection, he told us about the witnesses who confirmed all this. He mentions Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, Charles de Foucauld, and Madeleine Delbrêl. All of them suffered from fatigue, misunderstanding, and often darkness.  None of them gave up their trust in God; thereby testififying that this trust is lived out in daily fidelity.

Conclusion

To conclude his reflection, Bishop Vienneau offered us a list of questions that could help us nourish our personal prayer and/or our community sharing.  

He sent us on our way to Easter, wishing us serene confidence.  It is now up to us to say to God: “I don’t understand everything, but I continue to trust you.”

We have certainly been blessed by this reflection, and it gives us the desire to live our Lenten journey to the fullest. We must remember that God always acts in simple and ordinary ways; it is up to us to recognize them. Let us trust that Jesus is leading us!

                                                                              

Jeanne Comeau, f.j.

Riverview, N.B. Canada