Those in consecrated life hailed as 'light-bearers of Christ's love'

The Archdiocese of Sydney has held its annual Mass for Consecrated Life, celebrating those who have decided to dedicate their lives to the Church as a religious, reports The Catholic Weekly.

Many religious congregations were represented at the Mass, with members of the Dominicans, Christian Brothers, Marists, Somascans, and Ursulines among them. 

Sr Anetta Szczykutowicz PDDM and Sr Elizabeth Delaney SGS. PHOTO: Giovanni Portelli/The Catholic Weekly.

Vicar for Consecrated Life Sr Anetta Szczykutowicz PDDM and Sr Elizabeth Delaney SGS worked to bring together more than 90 dedicated religious who were able to attend the Mass on April 3. 

In his homily, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP said Sydney was blessed to “have such a variety of religious,” including those who had served the Church over many years. 

A special focus of the Mass was to highlight the long service of more than 50 religious who are celebrating Jubilee anniversaries this year. 

The Jubilarians received congratulations for their service from the Archbishop. 

“The cumulative years of profession among those celebrating such a milestone this year is a tad over 3,000 years—an astronomical number that serves as a reminder of God’s grace and an inspiration to us all,” he said.  

He also pointed out the congregations who are celebrating special milestones this year including the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers, who have been operational for 400 years and the Little Company of Mary, who first arrived in Australia 140 years ago. 

Archbishop Fisher spoke encouragingly to the gathering, invoking Pope Francis’ words to remind them they are “light bearers of God’s love”. 

“Your religious life is testimony to who Christ is, a proclamation of the Gospel, a concrete witness to the joy that comes from friendship with him and all people,” he said.  

“Your testimony leads others from doubt to faith, from darkness to light, from death to life, from despair to hope.” 

After the Mass, the Archbishop welcomed the religious into his home for lunch, where members of different orders could mingle and catch up with one another.  

This article by Tara Kennedy was published in The Catholic Weekly.