Pray for all bishops - The Branches, September 15, 2026

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted.” 
(Luke 2:34)

September 15, 2026

Last Friday, people throughout the United States paused to mark the tragic events that took place 25 years earlier on 9/11/2001. Many ceremonies, memories, and tears punctuated the day and hopefully slowed the pace of life for a moment to recognize how fragile life is as is the veil that separates hatred and violence from peace and harmony. May we renew ourselves in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi to be true instruments of peace in the world in which we currently live.

Also last week, Pope Leo XIV met with 147 new bishops from five continents who were in Rome to attend an annual course for bishops ordained the past year. The Bishop of Rome spoke candidly and from his heart about who a bishop is to be in the place where he is sent to shepherd. Because it was a lengthy text, I will share only a short but pertinent portion that struck my own heart as I continue to grow in the role as archbishop.

First of all, remain with Jesus. Among the many things you will be called to do as Bishops, this is the most important. We are Bishops, but we are first and foremost disciples. To speak of Him, we need to be with Him; to lead His people, we must allow ourselves to be guided by Him every day. ‘He appointed twelve’, whom he called apostles ‘to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach’ (Mk 3:14). This is the order of the Gospel: to be with Him and, through Him, to be sent out. Let us never forget this. Therefore, always cherish your time with the Lord: the Eucharist, the Word of God, prayer and those moments when you can be in His presence with the simple heart of a disciple who allows himself to be loved by his Lord. Our ministry stems from there. And when the heart remains close to Him, our service too becomes more serene, free and fruitful.

A second aspect: have the heart of Jesus the Good Shepherd, a heart completely devoted to the Father and, precisely for this reason, totally given to your brethren. Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). This is our model. The Bishop is a man who learns to love his people more and more each day: to know their joys and sorrows, to share in their dreams, to rejoice in seeing their communities grow. You will ordain priests and deacons; you will meet young people brimming with enthusiasm; you will witness the quiet generosity of so many men and women religious, missionaries, catechists and families; and you will discover ever more how beautiful the People of God are. Love the people whom the Lord has entrusted to you. Learn their names, listen to their stories, visit their homes whenever you can, and pray with them. Especially in the young Churches, very often the very presence of the bishop speaks volumes, even before his words. A visit, a blessing, the time spent with a priest, listening to a family, a conversation with a young person: these are small gestures, but they can remain in a person’s heart for a lifetime.

Saint Augustine, speaking about his people, said: “Vobis enim sum episcopus, vobiscum sum christanus”, “for you… I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian” (Sermon 340, 1). Let us walk with our people: let us pray with them, listen to the Word with them, celebrate the Eucharist with them. Let us seek the face of the Lord with them every day.  

-Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 10 September 2026 Copyright © Dicastery for Communication - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Today, as we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, I ask that you take a moment to pray for all bishops. Pray that they may be given the grace to shepherd wisely and lead courageously the flock entrusted to their care. Bishops need your prayers. I know that I do.

As I do for you, please pray for me,

Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee