Bishop Henry Eikhlein of the Pathein Diocese emphasized the foundational role of prayer in the lives of consecrated persons during a two-day quarterly recollection for religious men and women held on August 23-24, 2025.

The gathering, which brought together 52 participants from eight different congregations, aimed to foster spiritual renewal, unity, and mutual encouragement among those serving in the diocese.

The central theme of the event was articulated by Bishop Eikhlein during his talk on the second day.

“Prayer is central to religious life; none of us is a master of prayer, but all are beginners,” he stated, setting a tone of humility and shared spiritual journey.

Centering his reflection on prayer as the “source and summit” of religious life, the Bishop outlined three key aspects.

First, he rooted prayer in the Scriptures, noting that Jesus Himself often withdrew to quiet places to pray. He cited St. Paul’s exhortation to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17) and reminded those present that “the Spirit Himself helps us to pray.”

Secondly, he highlighted the Church’s teachings, referencing Vatican II’s Perfectae Caritatis, which calls prayer the chief source of spiritual vitality for the consecrated.

Finally, he described contemplative prayer as a simple, loving communion with God, quoting St. John Vianney: “I look at Him, and He looks at me.”

The Holy Mass was celebrated at 11:30 AM by Fr. Salai Michael, MSP, and Fr. Raphael Phone Naing Oo, resident priest of Pathein Diocese.

The afternoon sessions were dedicated to open dialogue. Bishop Eikhlein met with members of the different congregations, who later shared the challenges and experiences from their respective missions.

In response, the bishop encouraged the religious to inspire vocations among the youth and to guide young people in integrating faith into their daily lives.

The first day of the event, held at the St. Francis Xavier Centre Hall, featured a session on “Mindful Leadership” led by Sr. Rose Philip Nan Nwe Pyone, SFX.

Her talk emphasized three dimensions of leadership: self-awareness, relationship with others, and service to society, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence over mere intellectual ability.

The second day began with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the small chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier.

Organized by Sr. Teresa Ja Seng, SFX, under the guidance of Bishop Eikhlein, the quarterly gathering served to strengthen the commitment of the religious to live prayerfully and serve joyfully in the face of ongoing challenges.

By RVA Pwo Karen Service