The EWTN News portal (February 4, 2026) reports that “Pope” Leo XIV and his Roman Curia will conduct Lenten spiritual exercises in the Vatican’s Pauline Chapel, led by “Bishop” Erik Varden, a Trappist convert from Lutheranism. The retreat features two daily meditations from February 22-27, focusing on St. Bernard and angelology under the theme “Illuminated by a Hidden Glory.” This theatrical display of piety conceals doctrinal bankruptcy beneath Renaissance aesthetics.
Liturgical Theater Amid Doctrinal Collapse
The relocation to the Pauline Chapel – adorned with Michelangelo’s frescoes – constitutes aesthetic manipulation designed to simulate Catholic continuity. Pius XI condemned such theatrical religiosity in Quas Primas, stating: “When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony” (n.19). The conciliar sect replaces the ex opere operato efficacy of sacraments with emotional pageantry, reducing the Most Holy Sacrifice to a communal activity.
Varden’s appointment as retreat master exposes the apostate structure’s systematic corruption. A Lutheran convert whose conversion he attributes to “the inspiration of music” (EWTN) embodies the religious relativism condemned in Pius IX’s Syllabus of Errors: “Every man is free to embrace and profess that religion which, guided by the light of reason, he shall consider true” (Proposition 15). His Trappist affiliation proves meaningless given the Cistercian order’s modernist collapse, exemplified by Thomas Merton’s syncretic writings tolerated since Vatican II.
Angelic Theme Conceals Demonic Reality
The focus on angelology constitutes doctrinal diversion from the conciliar sect’s destruction of sacramental theology. While St. Bernard’s true teaching emphasized “the horror of sin and the rigor of divine justice” (Sermons on the Canticle of Canticles), Varden’s modernist interpretation will inevitably dilute these truths. The angels’ presence in Scripture always accompanies divine judgment – a reality omitted from this feel-good retreat program.
Pius XII’s Mediator Dei condemns such innovations: “The Church has no right to innovate anything touching the substance of the sacraments or their validity” (n.62). Yet these exercises occur while the counterfeit church maintains:
– Invalid Mass rites (Paul VI’s Missale Romanum)
– False ecumenism (Assisi gatherings)
– Denial of extra Ecclesiam nulla salus (Lumen Gentium 16)
Canonical Irregularities and Invalid Ministries
The Roman Curia’s participation constitutes collective sacrilege. Canon 188 §4 of the 1917 Code states: “Any cleric automatically loses his office if he publicly defects from the Catholic faith.” These men have promulgated heresies through:
– Religious liberty (Dignitatis Humanae)
– Collegiality (Lumen Gentium 22)
– False ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio)
Bishop Varden’s own ministry lacks validity under Cum Ex Apostolatus Officio (1559), which declares: “If anyone was a heretic before becoming Pope, his election is invalid.” As a product of conciliar “sacraments,” Varden’s episcopal consecration – like those of all post-1968 – remains doubtful at best.
Lenten Fraud Contrasted With True Asceticism
The article’s description of “monastic-style” retreat constitutes spiritual counterfeiting. Authentic Lenten observance requires:
1. Fasting (Canons 1250-1254)
2. Daily Mass (pre-1955 liturgy)
3. Meditation on the Four Last Things
4. Sacramental confession to valid priests
Instead, the conciliar sect offers:
– Protestantized “Liturgy of the Hours”
– Eucharistic “adoration” of invalidly consecrated hosts
– Feel-good meditations divorced from dogmatic truth
St. Alphonsus Liguori warns: “He who does not tremble at the divine justice will not enjoy the divine mercy” (Preparation for Death, Ch.5). By omitting judgment, hell, and the necessity of sacramental penance, this retreat mocks the true spirit of Lent.
As Michelangelo’s frescoes silently testify to forgotten truths, the apostates occupying the Vatican stage another blasphemous spectacle. Their “hidden glory” is the darkness of heresy, for as St. John teaches: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie” (1 John 1:6).
Source:
Monastic-style retreat planned for pope and Roman Curia at start of Lent (ewtnnews.com)
Date: 04.02.2026