‘Illuminated by a Hidden Glory’: Theme of Lenten Spiritual Exercises

Vatican News

The start of the Spiritual Exercises for Lent is set for Sunday, February 22, at 5:00 p.m. in the Pauline Chapel, in the presence of Pope Leo XIV, Cardinals residing in Rome, and heads of Dicasteries.

According to a note released on Wednesday by the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the annual Lenten Exercises will be preached by Bishop Erik Varden, on the theme “Illuminated by a Hidden Glory.”

The Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists) has served as Bishop of Trondheim in Norway since 2019.

Twice-daily meditations

From Monday, February 23, until its conclusion on February 27, Bishop Varden will preach two meditations each day, one at 9:00 a.m., preceded by Mid-Morning Prayer, and at 5:00 p.m., followed by Eucharistic Adoration and Vespers.

After the first reflection on the theme “Entering Lent” on Sunday, February 22, two meditations on Saint Bernard are scheduled: “Saint Bernard, the Idealist” and “Saint Bernard, the Realist,” scheduled for the afternoon of February 26.

Other themes include: God’s help; Becoming free; The splendor of truth; A thousand will fall; “I will glorify Him”; The angels of God; On consideration; concluding with the final meditation focused on “Communicating hope.”

From Norway to Vatican Radio

Bishop Erik Varden was born on May 13, 1974 in Sarpsborg, Norway (Diocese of Oslo).

He completed philosophical and theological studies at Cambridge, where he obtained a doctorate in theology, and at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, receiving a licentiate in Eastern ecclesiastical sciences.

He entered the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance in 2002, making his solemn profession at Mount St. Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire on October 6, 2007.

He was ordained a priest on July 16, 2011. He later taught at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome, while at the same time working for Vatican Radio’s Scandinavian section.

He then returned to Mount St. Bernard Abbey, taking on the role of Superior ad nutum (from 2013). In 2015, he was elected Abbot of Mount St. Bernard.

In 2019, he was appointed by Pope Francis as Bishop Prelate of Trondheim in Norway, and he was ordained Bishop in 2020.

Since 2023, he has also held the office of Apostolic Administrator of the Prelature of Tromsø; since 2024, he has been President of the Scandinavian Bishops’ Conference.

In 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed him a Member of the Dicastery for the Clergy.