Remember those in Consecrated Life

By Sister Deborah Kennedy, RSM
Liaison with Religious 
Archdiocese of Mobile
World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in the universal Church on Wednesday, Feb. 2 and in parishes over the weekend of Feb. 5-6. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life and thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation.
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2. 
This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
The Archdiocese of Mobile continues to be blessed with 13 Women’s Religious Congregations and 10 Men’s Religious Congregations, including priests and brothers — about 120 women and men. 
Irrespective of their distinctive missions and diverse ministerial and contemplative calls, the women and men who embrace Consecrated Life are united in supporting the Church and its ministerial endeavors in this archdiocese. 
In his Apostolic Letter proclaiming 2015 as a Year of Consecrated Life, Pope Francis said the core element that distinguishes religious life as a special vocation is its prophetic dimension. 
Consecrated men and women are called to live the charism of prophecy: Prophets receive from God the ability to scrutinize the times in which they live and to interpret events. Prophets know God and they know the people of God who are their brothers and sisters. They are able to discern and denounce the evil of sin and injustice. Because they are free, they are beholden to no one but God, and they have no interest other than God. Prophets tend to be on the side of the poor and powerless, for they know that God is on their side.
The apostolic letter calls us to look to the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion, and to embrace the future with hope. 
For all the challenges we face, together Pope Francis reminds us that religious life remains a place of hope and promise.  
Francis insists that Gospel joy is only discovered in service to others: “You will find life by giving life, hope by giving hope, love by giving love” (Apostolic letter Section 4).