30th World Day of Consecrated Life

Today, February 2nd, we celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The Vatican published a letter for this day, with the motto:“"Prophecy of Presence: Consecrated life where dignity is wounded and faith is tested.".

Several aspects of this letter are highlighted:

The mission often unfolds in “situations complexContexts marked by conflict, social and political instability, poverty, marginalization, forced migrations, religious minorities, violence, and tensions that test people's dignity, freedom, and sometimes faith itself. Experiences that reveal how strong the prophetic dimension of consecrated life is as... «"a presence that remains"»"Alongside wounded peoples and individuals, in places where the Gospel is lived, often in conditions of fragility and trial."”

This "remaining" manifests itself in many forms and efforts; it is never marked by immobility or resignation, but is "active hope," fundamental to building peace. From this also derives a prophetic dimension.

“"The apostolic life makes visible an active closeness that sustains wounded dignity."The contemplative life, through intercession and fidelity, safeguards hope when faith is tested; secular institutes bear witness to the Gospel as a discreet leaven in social and professional realities; the Ordo virginum manifests the strength of gratuitousness and fidelity that projects itself into the future; the eremitic life recalls the primacy of God and the essential that disarms the heart. In the diversity of forms, a single prophecy takes shape: to remain with love, without abandoning, without remaining silent, making one's own life the Word for this time and for this history.”

Today we give thanks to God for all consecrated persons, especially the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, who are a source of hope and builders of peace in the world.