The Church celebrates World Day
of Consecrated Life
 |
| Eucharistic liturgy for Consecrated Life. (Vatican Media) |
Men and women religious and members of Societies of
Apostolic Life all over the world celebrate the 22nd world Day of Consecrated
Life on 2 February.
By Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp
Pope Francis celebrates the liturgy in St
Peter’s Basilica on Friday with thousands of religious and members
of Societies of Apostolic life. The announcement for this event
contained the following reflection from the Holy Father: “A vocation is a gift
we have received from the Lord, who fixed his gaze on us and called us, calling
us to follow him in the consecrated life.”
Origins and Meaning of the World Day of Consecrated Life
This celebration coincides with the liturgical feast of the
Presentation of the Lord. In 1997, it was Pope Saint John Paul II who
instituted this feast as a universal day of prayer for consecrated men and
women. For pastoral purposes, the celebration in local churches is often moved
to the following Sunday.
The liturgy naturally provides a concrete symbol of the
mystery lived by those who consecrate themselves to the service of God and
their brothers and sisters. The liturgy opens with the blessing and procession
with candles. This reminds us of the first Baptismal consecration experienced
by all Christians. It is the living out of this consecration in religious
communities or other forms of consecration that provides the basis for all
consecrated life in the church.
The world needs a “vocational meaning in life.”
Cardinal Joᾶo Braz de Aviz, Prefect for the Congregation for
Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, affirmed that
“the present human history is in need of a vocational meaning in life. We need
to have a project, a source of an existential meaning, full of joy and hope. As
consecrated persons through our Baptism, and being part of God’s life and that
of his Family, the Church, we are heirs of the vocational and charismatic
legacy of the Church, and we are happy and duty bound to safeguard and promote
it.”
Event unites women religious around the world
The International Union
of Superiors General in Rome has characterized the day as “a festive
occasion, as well as one of commitment to pray to the Lord for the gift of new
vocations, who will renew the face of the Church and the world, by announcing
the joy of the Gospel and the love of God which gives meaning to our
existence.” Before participating in the liturgy with the Pope, hundreds of
women religious will participate in a new initiative at their headquarters – a
live presentation and simultaneous webinar for worldwide participation. Father
Anthony Gittins, a Spiritan Father, will respond to previously solicited
questions regarding the challenge of Living Mission Interculturally.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét