(24 Feb 10 - RV) The Holy Father and the Roman Curia are currently continuing their
annual Lenten spiritual exercises, the theme of which this year is: "The 'Lessons'
of God and of the Church on the priestly vocation". On Monday 22 February they
focused their reflections on the figure of St. Augustine and prayed for priestly vocations,
while yesterday they meditated on St. John Mary Vianney, the "Cure of Ars", and prayed
for missionaries. Today, the day of Penance, attention will turn to certain biblical
references to vocation, with meditations on the themes of "Temptation, doubt and resistance
form part of our history" and "Always sinners and always forgiven". The meditation
will focus on Georges Bernanos' book "Diary of a Country Priest". Tomorrow, the
Christological day, will be dedicated to the vocation of the first disciples, followed
by a meditation on Venerable Servant of God Giuseppe Quadrio S.D.B. (1921-1963). Friday
26 February is the Marian Day. Attention will focus on the Magnificat of Mary, and
on another biblical reference to vocation: "God's approval; the story of the Annunciation".
In the evening, participants will meditate on Venerable Servant of God John Paul II. At
9 a.m. on Saturday 27 February, the last day of the spiritual exercises of the Pope
and the Roman Curia, Lauds will be celebrated in the Vatican's "Redemptoris Mater"
Chapel with a concluding meditation on the call of the first deacons.