Australian religious were among 4000 consecrated men and women from around the world on pilgrimage to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, from October 8-12. Source: Catholic Religious Australia.
Pope Leo XIV led the opening Mass in which Sr Philippa Murphy FDNSC, leader of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Vice President of Catholic Religious Australia, participated in the Offertory Procession.
“As I prepared my heart to carry the bread to the Holy Father, I imagined carrying every member of CRA with me,” Sr Philippa said.
Over the days gathered, Sr Simona Brambilla MC, Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, encouraged religious men and women.
Sr Simona exhorted religious to embrace diversity, as the breath of the Spirit calls difference to be celebrated and God to be encountered in all.
In an audience for the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, Pope Leo XIV also called on the consecrated to promote the uniqueness of each person, to live their charism and embrace the universal call to charity.
Inspiring input was given from religious from across the globe, including Australian Sr Oonagh O’Shea NDS, who is president of International Union of Superiors General. Other speakers were Sr Nathalie Becquart XMCJ, Fr Giacomo Costa SJ, Sr Teresa Maya CCVI and Fr David McCallum SJ.
These speakers challenged the consecrated to respond “yes” every day to the divine call to live a life of deep faith in God and in connection with God’s people, through prayer and service.
Sr Chitra Justin MSSM, leader of the Servite Sisters and member of CRA Council, experienced the Jubilee’s invitation to “deepen our relationship with Christ and to have an authentic encounter with the poor and the marginalised with greater compassion and listening”.
“This Jubilee celebration is a renewal and a call for all religious men and women to be agents of peace,” Sr Philippa said.
“The overwhelming feeling as the Jubilee concluded was one of joy and unity of consecrated men and women, committed to be builders of bridges and witnesses of God’s love, to embrace differences and dare to live with a universal love that bears hope, to every corner of the world.”
FULL STORY
Australian Religious celebrate the Jubilee of Consecrated Life (Catholic Religious Australia)
RELATED COVERAGE
Pope to consecrated persons: ‘Your often-hidden daily actions give privileged witness’ (Vatican News)
