My dear brothers and sisters in Christ – June 2025
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This month, we celebrate fatherhood in a special way in the life of the Church. With the recent election and installation of Pope Leo XIV , as well as the celebration of Father’s Day in our country, I’d like for us to consider the nature of how all earthly fatherhood reflects the fatherhood of God.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This month, we celebrate fatherhood in a special way in the life of the Church. With the recent election and installation of Pope Leo XIV , as well as the celebration of Father’s Day in our country, I’d like for us to consider the nature of how all earthly fatherhood reflects the fatherhood of God.
As we read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The divine fatherhood is the source of human fatherhood; this is the foundation of the honor owed to parents” (2214). The first mark of God’s fatherhood is his consistency. Despite our shortcomings he will never leave us, and he celebrates our joys and accomplishments. He is present when we need advice, comfort and even when we need gentle correction. God promised our spiritual forefathers that he will stand with them forever as he established his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The second trait of the fatherhood of the Lord is his role as true teacher. All fathers are called to instruct and pass knowledge to their children. As the perfect role model, God teaches us by showing us the way to his kingdom through his son, Jesus. In the same way, we show honor to our fathers by taking their good counsel to heart, because they hold deep insights and experience in life and the world around us.
Third, God always brings provision for his children. Whenever we call upon him, he hears our cries and hastens to help us. St. Paul said so eloquently in Ephesians, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self” (3:14-16).
As a father loves, so God loves us. He was willing to deliver to the cross, and within every Eucharist, his most dearly beloved Son so that we may enter the gates of heaven. Our Father wants us to be near him, to spend time with him and to choose him, as he chose to bring us into being.
No one’s father is perfect. Perhaps you were blessed with a strong, supportive father in your life — love him and pray for him. If you were not, this can be a difficult time — love him and pray for him, and do not lose hope. We have a Father in heaven who loves us, who gives us counsel, who brings provision and stands by us, especially when we need him the most.
I offer prayers to all men called to the vocation of fatherhood — our priests, deacons and our everyday dads. Happy Father’s Day!
In Christ’s love,
Most Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS
Bishop of Charleston
