Celebrating our Consecrated Life

 

World Day for Consecrated Life Invitation to the Synodal Spirit of Participation

The joy of ‘we’

The 2023 World Day of Consecrated Life 

focuses on 'participation', the second word 

of the theme of the 2023 Synod: 

Communion, Participation and Mission.

Recalling the exhortation of Pope Francis, the message says, “no one, no one, should be excluded or feel excluded from this journey; no one, no one, should think ‘it doesn't concern me’.”

The message recalls that, by going back to their vocational call, consecrated persons will rediscover the enthusiasm, amazement and joy of feeling and being part of a project of love, for which others like them have also made their lives available for the good of humanity.  The Vatican Congregation thus invites consecrated persons to revive this memory, warning that “over time it risks losing its strength, especially when we replace the attractiveness of ‘we’ with the strength of ‘I’”.

Participation of All

The first proof of participation is belonging, the message says, adding, “I cannot participate if I conceive of myself as the whole and do not recognize myself as part of a shared project.”  Hence the importance of asking ourselves what this listening in the community consists of: “Who are  the brothers and sisters we listen to and, before that, why do we listen to them?”  “We cannot call ourselves a vocational community, and even less a community of life, if the participation of some or others is missing.”

Consecrated men and women are invited once again to the synodal journey of participation “strong in the conviction that we can only receive and give Good” because, as Pope Francis says, consecrated life is born, grows and can give evangelical fruits only in the Church, the living communion of the faithful People of God.

Responsibility

Participation thus becomes responsibility, whereby “we cannot but be among others and with others”.  And even before that, synodality begins within us from a "change of mentality, from a personal conversion, in the community, in our homes, workplaces and structures to expand into ministries and mission".

Nourishing the synodal journey together begins with listening, means making room for the other in our lives, taking seriously what is important to him or her.
Participation also means co-responsibility, especially in the missionary dream of reaching out to all, of caring for all, of feeling that we are all brothers and sisters, together in life and in history, which is the history of salvation.

The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus into the Temple, February 2nd, reminds us that we too are the Light of Christ in the world through the gift and service of our call to Consecrated Life in the Church.

We join with all the Church and World to acknowledge and give thanks for the gift of these dedicated servants of Jesus’ Mission.
            

BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

GO FORTH! Remember the beauty of your

first call. Jesus continues to call you today

with the same full love and untamed grace.

  

GO FORTH! There is always more to do, to

encounter, to be grateful for, to be astonished by.

Begin and end with the joy of prayer-the

marrow of consecrated life.

  

GO FORTH! Each of us has a role to play in

the Church. Witness and sow well each day,

and look to tomorrow with hope.  

   

GO FORTH! Grow in love for God so that

others will be attracted by the divine light

in you. Welcome the new vocations the Lord

sends to continue the work of consecration. 

We ask this through the intercession of Mary,

Mother of God and first disciple of her son,

      Jesus, our Lord.     AMEN.        - Pope Francis