World Day for Consecrated Life to Be Observed February 6 in U.S. Parishes

WASHINGTON—The 15th celebration of the annual World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in parishes in the United States the weekend of February 5-6. World Day for Consecrated Life, traditionally observed February 2, marks an opportunity to highlight the ordinary and extraordinary contributions of consecrated men and women in this country and to pray for vocations to the consecrated life.

“We thank God for the service of many consecrated men and women who work in parishes, schools, universities, chanceries, hospitals, centers of social service, counseling and spiritual direction. So often, these men and women transform human need through their prayerful witness of the love of Christ by educating the unlearned, healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, befriending the lonely,” said Archbishop Robert Carlson, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. “Their zeal and joy for doing God’s will manifests the life and holiness of the Church.”

On February 2 the Church celebrates the mystery of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. After receiving the Lord, Simeon declared Christ to be the “light to the nations.” The Church believes this day is significant for consecrated persons because by their evangelical witness they become, like Christ, lights of God’s love in the darkness of the world.

“The Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations hopes to support every form of consecrated life in the Church,” says Sister Mary Joanna Ruhland, RSM, associate director of the Secretariat.

Prayers of the Faithful, a bulletin announcement and a prayer card for the World Day for Consecrated Life can be found on the U.S. bishops’ website at https://www.usccb.org/cl/.  Also on this site, the Report of the Profession Class of 2010 will be made available on February 2.

This report explains the results of a survey of religious sisters and nuns who made their profession of perpetual vows in 2010. The survey was conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at the Secretariat’s request.

“We congratulate these women, as well as all religious priests, sisters, brothers, consecrated virgins, hermits, members of secular institutes and societies of apostolic life who have made vows or sacred promises to God,” said Sister Ruhland. “May you continue to be the light of Christ in the world!”

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Keywords: Word Day for Consecrated Life, religious priests, sisters, brothers, nuns, consecrated persons, vows, Archbishop Robert Carlson, Sister Mary Joanna Ruhland, Profession Class of 2010, Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, USCCB, U.S. Bishops

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