More than a hundred consecrated women and men joined Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli and the wider community in a Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral to mark this year’s World Day for Consecrated Life. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The event is celebrated annually on February 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
In a letter addressed to consecrated women and men throughout the world, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life spoke of consecrated life as “a presence that remains”, especially alongside wounded people “in places where the Gospel is often lived in conditions of fragility and trial”.
“In many parts of the world, the political and social situation tests trust and erodes hope: and precisely for this reason, your faithful, humble, creative, and discreet presence becomes a sign that God does not abandon his people,” the letter said.
Archbishop Comensoli expanded on this theme as he encouraged those present to see themselves as “prophets of hope and consolation” and “a presence of remaining”.
“It is an evocative image to receive for those of you who live a consecrated life. This ‘remaining’ is not a static immobility but an active presence. It is not an endpoint but a living journey. It is, as the letter mentions, ‘a seed that accepts death so that life may flourish’.
“It is a sign, in your own lives, that God does not abandon his people … ‘[For] this reason, your faithful, humble, creative, and discreet presence becomes a sign that God does not abandon his people.’
In attendance on Sunday was Sr Joanna Coleiro FSP, who said it was “lovely to celebrate the occasion with the wider assembly”, and acknowledged those around her as having “given their whole lives in service to the people of God”.
Originally from South Australia, Sr Joanna entered religious life 33 years ago as a Daughter of St Paul. She is the director of the Pauline Book Centre in Hawthorn (formerly known as Pauline Books and Media).
To those who may be discerning a vocation to consecrated life, Sr Joanna’s advice is simple: pay attention to what is life-giving for you.
‘If it’s God’s will for your life, it will be life-giving. If you’re discerning and listening to what God wants and what you can give, God will help you find a way.”
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Prophets of hope and consolation: hundreds gather for World Day of Consecrated Life (Melbourne Catholic)
