Since the pandemic this year is preventing the Vatican Curia's cardinals and bishops from joining the pope for the annual Lenten spiritual exercises, Pope Francis sent them a letter and a book.
The pope asks them not to abandon the tradition of the spiritual exercises, but to complete them at home.
He proposes starting this Sunday. To help them, he sent them this book.
It's called “Abbi a cuore il Signore,” something like “cherish the Lord.” Its author signs it as Maestro di San Bartolo. A priest found the 17th-century manuscript in a market. The text was a surprising discovery of great spiritual value.
The pope begins his spiritual exercises this Sunday evening at home, and he will finish them on Friday morning. He's cleared his schedule for the week.
JMB