A day to celebrate those who inspire through the witness of their lives
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
During a three-hour meeting with the members of the 82nd General Assembly of the Union of Superiors General in Rome, Nov. 29, 2013, Pope Francis announced that the year 2015 will be dedicated to Consecrated Life. This coming Feb. 2, 2014, the Church celebrates the World Day of Consecrated Life inaugurated by Blessed John Paul II in 1997. On Feb. 2, 2012 in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Vespers. During his homily, he encouraged consecrated men and women to engage in the New Evangelization during the anticipated Year of Faith. Such attention given to this vocation in the Church by our present and past popes gives us pause for reflection. Those called to consecrated life live in imitation of the poor, chaste and obedient Son of God. From the very beginnings of the Church, the Holy Spirit inspired holy men and women to imitate the teachings and life of Christ in a variety of ways. These saints inspire others by the witness of their lives to join them in institutes or societies that seek and gain the approval of the Church. Down through the centuries, monastics, mendicants and apostolic men and women lived holy lives while ministering to God’s people in the salvific mission of the Church. Some men or women live lives dedicated to prayer and sacrifice in a contemplative lifestyle; still others engage in lives of service rooted in prayer and a common lifestyle. As late as 1947, Pope Pius XII approved secular institutes composed of men or women professing the evangelical counsels while living in the midst of a secular world.
Regrettably, and for many and complex reasons, young men and women in the United States do not experience or refuse this call of the Holy Spirit to live a consecrated vocation. They do not recognize the freedom that comes with the profession of the evangelical counsels. This self-emptying, in imitation of Christ’s self-emptying on the Cross, brings untold happiness to those who have given their all to this vocation. Likewise, their generosity brings joy to those they serve in their various ministries of prayer, evangelization, spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and living consecrated life among others in the world.
Christ has encouraged us to “Pray the Lord of the harvest… .” On February 2 of this year, and throughout the remainder of the year 2014, let us clergy, lay and consecrated persons pray for an increase of vocations to this life of the greatest love of God.
As we anticipate the World Day for Consecrated Life, and the Year of Consecrated Life in 2015, may our Church be blessed with the generous response of many young men and women eager to intensify their baptismal commitment through a life consecrated by the profession of the counsels in one of the many institutes or societies that witness to the holiness of the Church and contribute to its mission.
St. Joseph Sister Rose McDermott is the Diocese’s delegate for religious in the Office of Clergy and Consecrated Life.
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During a three-hour meeting with the members of the 82nd General Assembly of the Union of Superiors General in Rome, Nov. 29, 2013, Pope Francis announced that the year 2015 will be dedicated to Consecrated Life. This coming Feb. 2, 2014, the Church celebrates the World Day of Consecrated Life inaugurated by Blessed John Paul II in 1997. On Feb. 2, 2012 in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Vespers. During his homily, he encouraged consecrated men and women to engage in the New Evangelization during the anticipated Year of Faith. Such attention given to this vocation in the Church by our present and past popes gives us pause for reflection. Those called to consecrated life live in imitation of the poor, chaste and obedient Son of God. From the very beginnings of the Church, the Holy Spirit inspired holy men and women to imitate the teachings and life of Christ in a variety of ways. These saints inspire others by the witness of their lives to join them in institutes or societies that seek and gain the approval of the Church. Down through the centuries, monastics, mendicants and apostolic men and women lived holy lives while ministering to God’s people in the salvific mission of the Church. Some men or women live lives dedicated to prayer and sacrifice in a contemplative lifestyle; still others engage in lives of service rooted in prayer and a common lifestyle. As late as 1947, Pope Pius XII approved secular institutes composed of men or women professing the evangelical counsels while living in the midst of a secular world.
Regrettably, and for many and complex reasons, young men and women in the United States do not experience or refuse this call of the Holy Spirit to live a consecrated vocation. They do not recognize the freedom that comes with the profession of the evangelical counsels. This self-emptying, in imitation of Christ’s self-emptying on the Cross, brings untold happiness to those who have given their all to this vocation. Likewise, their generosity brings joy to those they serve in their various ministries of prayer, evangelization, spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and living consecrated life among others in the world.
Christ has encouraged us to “Pray the Lord of the harvest… .” On February 2 of this year, and throughout the remainder of the year 2014, let us clergy, lay and consecrated persons pray for an increase of vocations to this life of the greatest love of God.
As we anticipate the World Day for Consecrated Life, and the Year of Consecrated Life in 2015, may our Church be blessed with the generous response of many young men and women eager to intensify their baptismal commitment through a life consecrated by the profession of the counsels in one of the many institutes or societies that witness to the holiness of the Church and contribute to its mission.
St. Joseph Sister Rose McDermott is the Diocese’s delegate for religious in the Office of Clergy and Consecrated Life.