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    "date": "2026-02-25T12:39:40",
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    "slug": "vatican-retreat-varden-on-st-bernard-the-idealist",
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    "link": "https:\/\/ewtnromania.com\/en\/2026\/02\/25\/vatican-retreat-varden-on-st-bernard-the-idealist\/",
    "title": {
        "rendered": "Vatican Retreat: Varden on St. Bernard \u2018the Idealist\u2019"
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        "rendered": "<p>As the Roman Curia\u2019s Lenten retreat continued, Cistercian abbot-bishop Erik Varden reflected on St. Bernard of Clairvaux and on the biblical conviction that God comes to our aid.<\/p>\n<p>The Roman Curia\u2019s Lenten spiritual exercises moved on to the second and third meditations Monday, Feb. 23, following the program schedule with sessions at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the Pauline Chapel.<\/p>\n<p>In the morning, Cistercian Bishop Erik Varden spoke to the pope and the Roman Curia about St. Bernard of Clairvaux, focusing on the theme \u201cBernard the Idealist.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to Varden, Bernard is \u201ca good, wise companion for anyone setting out on a Lenten exodus from selfishness and pride, wishing to pursue authenticity with eyes set on the all-illumining love of God.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Varden described Bernard as \u201ca genuinely humble man, fully given to God, capable of tender kindness, a firm friend \u2014 indeed, able to befriend former enemies \u2014 and a compelling witness to God\u2019s love. He was, and remains, fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the afternoon, Varden introduced a new theme: \u201cGod\u2019s help.\u201d He began with a line from Mary Ward: \u201cDo your best and God will help.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe notion that God can and will help us in our predicaments is axiomatic to biblical faith,\u201d Varden said. \u201cIt sets the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God made compassionate flesh in Christ Jesus, apart from the Unmoved Mover of philosophy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He then turned to a difficult question: What about times when believers fall and appear abandoned \u2014 when they cry out to heaven and receive no answer, hearing only the echo of their own voice?<\/p>\n<p>Varden pointed to Job as the scriptural figure who embodies this experience, proposing that Job\u2019s book can be read \u201cas a symphony in three movements, going from a visceral lament through an exposition of menace to a wholly surprising experience of grace.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n<p><em>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/ewtnvatican.com\/articles\/vatican-retreat-varden-st-bernard-the-idealist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/ewtnvatican.com\/articles\/vatican-retreat-varden-st-bernard-the-idealist<\/a><\/em><\/p>",
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        "rendered": "<p>As the Roman Curia\u2019s Lenten retreat continued, Cistercian abbot-bishop Erik Varden reflected on St. Bernard of Clairvaux and on the biblical conviction that God comes to our aid. The Roman Curia\u2019s Lenten spiritual exercises moved on to the second and third meditations Monday, Feb. 23, following the program schedule with sessions at 9 a.m. and [&hellip;]<\/p>",
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