The 27th World Day of Consecrated Life is celebrated on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. It was established in 1997 by Pope St. John Paul II to pray for those who have consecrated their lives to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. In several dioceses, the celebration is transferred to the following Sunday, February 5, to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.
This is a particular time for individual parishes and communities to celebrate the beauty of the consecrated vocation and the charisms of different religious orders and congregations. It invites the Church to reflect on the unique Christ-centred witness that consecrated men and women bring to the Church and the surrounding community.
The liturgical feast chosen for the day of consecrated life commemorates the presentation of the Jesus at the Temple by Joseph and Mary 40 days after his birth, as prescribed in the Law of Moses. There is a tradition of blessing the candles before the Mass in many dioceses around the world. The celebrant and the ministers make a solemn entry procession with lighted candles. Hence, the feast is also known as Candlemas. The candles blessed during the liturgy symbolise Christ, the light of the world and the lives of consecrated women and men called to reflect the light of Christ.
As the Church celebrates the lives of consecrated people on this day, it is a reminder of its vital responsibility to promote vocations to religious and consecrated life. Through perseverance in prayer and a deep love for God’s Word, families, parishes, and Church-run institutions are invited to discern and plan for promoting vocations to consecrated life. Young people need spiritual directors to help them determine their vocations so that they build a love for religious life. Clergy, religious and laypeople must make healthy friendships in their parish communities to improve awareness, exchange ideas, and foster a liking for the vocation to the priesthood and religious life.
Family is the cradle of good vocations to consecrated life. A positive family discussion about the Church, priests, and religious must become part of our mealtime topics to encourage vocation within the family. As the first preachers of the faith to their children, parents and elders in the family have an important responsibility to foster love for consecrated life among children. The family should avoid gossip and ill-talk about consecrated people.
Presenting religious and priestly vocations as a desirable option to our children at home is a necessary part of the mission of Catholic parents. Young parents are deeply concerned about giving the finest of everything to their children. Yet, they often neglect to provide their children with the best faith formation and religious awareness opportunities. In the life of their daughter, St. Therese of Lisieux, Louis Martin and Marie-Azelie Guerin remind Catholic parents of the commitment they must make to their children. jose CMF
