Looking at my priest friends during the daily concelebration of Mass at Dar Tal-Kleru – there are 50 of us, 30 or so diocesan and another 20 religious priests – I keep reflecting on the intensity of the pastoral work they performed over the decades, at home and abroad.

Some of us, like the undersigned, are healthy enough to go around and visit friends and companions, even doing some pastoral work as requested, but, as one expects, there are a number of us who do not have this facility or are bedridden.

I have the impression, and this is the scope of my letter, that several of those bedridden priests do not have any visitors, or are only visited occasionally.

I wish to appeal to parish priests and religious superiors to remind their communities about these priests, who come from various parishes or religious orders, and who would greatly appreciate a visit from their friends. This, of course, is true for all residents in all old people’s homes in the country.

It is opportune to remind each other that Christ taught us: “I was sick and you visited me... enter in heaven.”