Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I will be on retreat this week with the Bishops of Region VII. Region VII comprises the archdioceses and dioceses of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. It will take place at the retreat house (formerly Stritch) at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois.

It is a wonderful opportunity for the bishops of the region to gather in prayer and conversation. Although we are all familiar with each other, we rarely have the ability to share quality time together. Even the bishops of our Province (Wisconsin) rarely have the time to enjoy one another’s company. So, this is a special time for all of us.

I ask that you remember us in your prayers. Cardinal Francis George once told me that during a life-threatening time in his cancer treatment, he felt the power of people praying for him. A sense of peace and confidence came over him and he intuitively knew it was from prayer. My mother was a prayer warrior, and I would often call her up and ask that she offer one of her nine-hour novenas so that I would have a successful talk or fruitful meeting. Even during the critical time we faced in our Chapter 11 bankruptcy, our strategy was always prayer and patience. It was a constant reminder that God is in charge, and we are His instruments.  

We all need to develop a strong prayer life. Prayer is not only talking to God; it is also listening to what He wants from us. Usually, the most difficult aspect of our human response is “obedience.” It is this virtue which develops our direction toward holiness. Our Blessed Mother was the model of obedience “fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum” (“Be it done to me according to your will.”). Her response to God opened for us the means of salvation through the birth of her Son.

During these days of my retreat, know that I will be praying for you, my friends of the LOA community. If you feel extra graces, it will be our Lord answering my prayers on your behalf. We join our Mother Mary in submitting our will to His (fiat voluntas tua) as we LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the Aug. 22, 2023, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.