On November 4, 2024, the Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan, held a day of prayer and reflection dedicated to its priests, guided by Archbishop Benny Mario Travas, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese, at the Archbishop’s House.
The gathering, focused on fostering "communion among priests," featured Jesuit Father Robbie D'Lima as the keynote speaker, who explored the profound nature of communion rooted in the Holy Trinity.
Highlighting that “Our God is Communion,” Father D'Lima emphasized the self-giving love embodied by the Trinity, as revealed in Jesus’ Incarnation and sacrifice on the Cross.
This divine communion, he explained, extends beyond unity for a shared cause, drawing participants into the life of the Church.
Father D’Lima illustrated how communion unfolds throughout salvation history, from God’s unification of His people in the Old Testament to three “Pentecosts” in the New Testament.
He referenced St. Paul’s emphasis on the Spirit’s gifts (1 Cor. 12), the Johannine call to truth, and St. Luke’s Acts 2 description of believers being “of one heart and mind.” Communion, he underscored, is a continuous thread woven through God’s relationship with His people.
A key theme of the day was spiritual conversation, which D’Lima described as essential for building priestly communion.
He encouraged priests to foster an environment of non-judgmental, attentive listening, where individuals feel safe to share their stories.
This “culture of conversation,” he noted, is especially vital in South Asian contexts, where openness can sometimes be hindered by cultural norms.
Archbishop Travas expressed gratitude to Father D’Lima, affirming the importance of spiritual conversation as a pathway to deeper communion.
Quoting Pope Francis, he stressed the need for dialogue guided by the Holy Spirit and urged priests to nurture “soul language” in their communities—a form of communication that transcends superficial exchanges and touches on the core joys and challenges of ministry.
Reflecting on Henri Nouwen’s insights, Travas emphasized the importance of metanoia, a transformation of heart and mind, as opposed to paranoia, which can obstruct true communion.
The day concluded with a celebration honoring priests marking birthdays and ordination anniversaries in November, symbolizing the shared joy of their priestly vocation.
This day of prayer and reflection reminded the priests of their shared calling and deepened their commitment to serve with compassion.
Through the Spirit and the principles of self-giving love, the Archdiocese of Lahore’s priests continue to foster communion, strengthening their ministry and dedication to serving the faithful.
With input from The Catholics: Lahore Focus
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