Priests from the Catholic Archdiocese of Mandalay gathered for a five-day annual retreat last week, focusing on spiritual renewal and drawing encouragement from the Pope’s personal prayers for their crisis-stricken nation.

Held from December 8 to 12 at the Anesakhan Don Bosco Spiritual Center, the retreat brought together 57 priests under the guidance of Archbishop Marco Tin Win and Fr. Vincent Senechal, Superior General of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP) from France.

Fr. Senechal shared a poignant moment from a recent meeting in Rome, stating that when he mentioned Myanmar to Pope Leo, the Pontiff “expressed deep concern and readily assured him of his prayers for the people of the country.”

Addressing the priests, Fr. Vincent emphasized the universality of the Church, reminding them that they are not alone in their mission. The retreat conferences were structured around four daily themes: Peace, Service, Communion, and Faith. Reflecting on peace,

Reflecting on Peace, Fr. Vincent drew on Saint Augustine’s description of peace as the “tranquility of order,” underscoring the need for inner peace with God and oneself in order to become authentic witnesses of peace. Quoting Pope Leo, he noted that “a peaceful heart becomes a peacemaking heart.”

On Service, he highlighted the Christian call to serve others, especially the poor, reminding the priests that every human person, even an enemy, is a child of God. Referring to Saint Augustine’s ordo amoris (order of love), he stressed relationships founded not on domination but on mutual recognition, affirming that for Christians, “the poor are not a social category but the very flesh of Christ.”

In his reflection on Communion, Fr. Vincent recalled Saint Augustine’s teaching that human beings are created for communion—with God and with one another—and that genuine communion with others is a visible sign of communion with God.

Concluding with Faith, Fr. Vincent emphasized that the mission of the Pope, bishops, and priests is to strengthen others in faith, following the example set by Pope Leo at the beginning of his papacy. Citing Saint Augustine, he reminded participants that “we are men of faith looking for our house in heaven.”

Archbishop Marco encouraged practical pastoral work, urging priests to nurture small Christian communities, promote family prayer, and strengthen catechesis through Sunday and Summer School programs ahead of the 2026 holidays.

For many priests, particularly those serving alone in remote areas, the retreat was a vital lifeline. Monsignor Fr. Peter Sein Hlaing Oo, Vicar General, noted the gathering is mandated by Church law and crucial for “strengthening spiritual life” and allowing priests to “exchange experiences and learn practical ways to address pastoral challenges.”

Fr. John Paul Kyaw Thu Win highlighted the value of priests openly sharing their strengths and weaknesses in a supportive setting, calling it a source of encouragement for those carrying heavy pastoral and charitable responsibilities.

The retreat concluded as a significant moment of unity and spiritual refreshment, sending the priests back to their parishes with a renewed focus on their mission and the knowledge that their work is held in the prayers of the global Church.

By RVA Myanmar Service