The Archdiocese of Yangon held its annual priestly retreat from September 21 to 25, 2026, at the Yangon Archbishop’s House, bringing together 125 priests for five days of prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal under the theme “Towards a Discerning Church.”

His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo, the three Auxiliary Bishops of the Yangon Archdiocese, diocesan priests, and priests from different religious congregations serving in the Archdiocese participated in the retreat. Cardinal Bo gave the opening remarks on the evening of September 21 as the retreat began.

A Veteran Spiritual Guide

The retreat was preached by Rev. Fr. Mark Raper, SJ, an 84-year-old Australian Jesuit priest currently based at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Taunggyi, Myanmar. Ordained in 1973, Fr. Raper has served in Jesuit leadership for many years, including as Provincial of the Australian Jesuits, President of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, and Superior of the Jesuit Regions of East Timor and Myanmar.

He also spent two decades serving refugees through the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), beginning in the Asia-Pacific region in the 1980s and later serving in Rome as its International Director during the 1990s, helping to expand its ministry to more than 50 countries.

‘The First Language of God Is Silence’

Throughout the retreat, Fr. Raper invited the priests to enter more deeply into silence and attentive listening, emphasizing that spiritual renewal begins not only by listening to God’s Word but also by becoming attentive to God’s presence within the silence of the heart.

During the opening orientation, he reminded the priests that the silence of a retreat creates a space in which they can become still and allow God to speak to their hearts. He emphasized that “the first language of God is silence.”

Reflecting on the spiritual journey of silence, prayer, faith, hope, love, service, and peace, Fr. Raper quoted the words attributed to Mother Teresa: “Silence is prayer. Prayer is faith. Faith is hope. Hope is love. Love is service. And service is peace.”

In his first spiritual reflection, Fr. Raper explained that prayer is not only about speaking to God but also about listening and remaining in God’s presence. He encouraged the priests to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, allowing themselves to open the “window” of their hearts to God.

Journey Through the Gospels

On the second day, the retreat focused on the call of Jesus and the vocation of the apostles. Fr. Raper invited the priests to reflect on their own call from God to become “fishers of men,” not for personal gain but in order to give life and hope to others. He also reflected on the parables of the Good Samaritan and the wise and foolish virgins, drawing inspiration from Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti.

On the third day, Fr. Raper reflected on Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and on the suffering and death that Jesus accepted in fulfilling his mission. He encouraged the priests to seek consolation, affirmation, and joy from God, especially when facing difficulties and seemingly hopeless situations. He also invited them to reflect on the contrasting responses of Peter and Judas Iscariot after their denial of Jesus, encouraging the priests to place themselves within the stories of the apostles and honestly examine their own relationship with Christ.

The final day centered on the Resurrection and Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ in the garden. Fr. Raper encouraged the priests to recognize Christ’s presence in the people they encounter in their ministry and to “see Jesus in all things.”

‘Ten Rules for a Discerning Life’

At the conclusion of the retreat, Fr. Raper presented “Ten Rules for a Discerning Life” as a practical roadmap for continuing the spiritual journey. Among these principles, he encouraged the priests to receive life as a gift, give thanks for creation, value happiness that does not depend on possessions, grow in virtues, and recognize the difference between consolation and desolation. He urged them to resist desolation, acknowledge their failures, and continually trust in God’s mercy, emphasizing that “we can always start again and take a fresh step.”

A Message of Renewal

At the conclusion of the retreat, Auxiliary Bishop Francis Than Htun delivered words of appreciation on behalf of the bishops and participating priests. He thanked Fr. Raper for his preparation, prayer, generosity, and commitment in sharing God’s Word.

Bishop Francis said the retreat had helped the priests rediscover a beautiful spiritual journey and had given them much to reflect upon in their priestly lives and ministry. He encouraged the priests to carry with them a message of spiritual renewal: “May our silence bring us closer to God. May our prayer strengthen our faith. May our faith renew our hope. May our hope deepen our love. May our love lead us to generous service. And may our service bring the peace of Christ to everyone we encounter.”

The annual retreat included daily Holy Mass, spiritual conferences, Eucharistic adoration, personal prayer and meditation, the Rosary, and periods of silent prayer. The priests also had opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The five-day retreat provided the priests of the Archdiocese of Yangon with an opportunity to step away from their pastoral responsibilities, deepen their relationship with Christ, and renew their commitment to discerning God’s will in their priestly ministry and service to the Church.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service