Amidst the Pandemic, the lungs of the Catholic Church – the consecrated ones continue to breathe life rejuvenating brothers and sisters through the “offering of their bodies as a living sacrifice”, (cf. Rom 12: 1).
Certainly, the Catholic Church continues to thank God on the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on February 2, 2021, for the gift of consecrated life, and praying for those discerning to embrace this way of life. Instituted by St Pope John Paul II, 1997, it is celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day, with the lighting of candles signifying that Christ is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
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On January 18, 2021, the Pope was very personal in his message to the Consecrated Ones: “We draw close to you on the eve of a day dear to us, and to all consecrated men and women. A day dedicated to our wonderful vocation that makes God’s love for men, women and the entire universe shine forth in various ways. On February 2 in St Peter’s Basilica, at 5:30 pm, we will celebrate the XXV World Day of Consecrated Life, the Eucharistic Celebration, void of the signs and joyful faces that illuminated it in previous years, yet nonetheless expressing the fruitful gratitude that characterises our lives”.
Just as St John Paul II urged consecrated persons to “be true experts of communion and to practise the spirituality of communion”. Pope Francis, drawing inspiration from St Francis, founder and inspirer of so many institutes of consecrated life, broadens the perspective and invites us to be architects of universal brotherhood, custodians of the common home: of the earth and of every creature (cf. Encyclical Laudato Si).
With reference to (cf. LS), the Pontiff emphasises: it is a question, then, of creating ways of accompanying, transforming and creating; of developing projects to promote a culture of encounter and dialogue between different peoples and generations; of starting with one’s own vocational community and then reaching to every corner of the earth and every creature, because, never as during this pandemic, have we experienced how everything is linked, everything is related, everything is connected.
The exhortation of St Peter, in 1 Pet 3: 8-11, challenges the consecrated to, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for each other, a tender heart, and a humble mind. He reminds: Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it”.
Let us continue to seek the face of God, committing ourselves to build peace and fraternity, to wake the world, in spite of the difficulties in our life and let’s remain in Him and be his witnesses by having the same mind or the attitude in us that was in Christ Jesus, (cf Phil 2:5).
