Religious communities, consecrated people and Dioceses around Australia celebrated the World Day of Consecrated Life earlier this month, coming together to give thanks for lives lived as ‘a light to the nations’.
On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, cathedrals in many dioceses hosted consecrated people from the local area for the celebration of Mass and a gathering afterwards.
More than 100 consecrated women and men gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne on Sunday February 1 to join Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli and the wider community in a Mass to mark World Day for Consecrated Life.
World Day of Consecrated Life Mass, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne. PHOTO: Melbourne Catholic.
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 peoples “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 end-point 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 at the Mass 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”.
Also in attendance was Sr Rita Malavisi RSJ, a Sister of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She said it was humbling to be acknowledged by the community and the Archbishop.
“Archbishop Peter warmly welcomed the religious into the Cathedral and reminded us that our consecrated lives were like beacons of light for others,” she said. “Most of us entered religious life because we were drawn by the love of Christ and to live out this love with a particular charism, in a particular congregation.
“We are humbled to know that we can be beacons of light and prophets of hope for others.”
In Townsville, the day was celebrated with a Mass and gathering afterwards.
There was also a warm gathering in Townsville Diocese. PHOTO: Diocese of Townsville Facebook.
“Today we celebrated the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life — a truly beautiful Mass with precious company!” the Diocese said on its Facebook page.
“Thank you to Fr Damian for celebrating the Mass alongside our religious priests, and to all the religious across the Diocese for your faithful witness, love, and service.”
And in Wollongong, those in Consecrated Life gathered with Bishop Brian Mascord for Mass, “a special opportunity to pray together and give thanks for the faithful service of our religious priests, sisters and brothers across the diocese”.
“This annual celebration brings together members of religious congregations serving in the Diocese of Wollongong, united in the Eucharist and in their shared commitment to Jesus and his Church,” the Dioceses’ Facebook page said.
“Bishop Brian expressed his love and gratitude for the quiet, steadfast work of our religious; their prayer, witness and service continue to strengthen the life of our diocese in countless ways. He also paid tribute to those religious who passed away in the previous year, remembering their faithful witness and the lasting impact of their lives.
“Following the Mass, those gathered shared a beautiful lunch together, a time of conversation, fellowship and mutual encouragement.”
Those living Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Wollongong joined Bishop Brian Mascord for Mass and a gathering. PHOTO: Diocese of Wollongoing Facebook.
And in Canberra, four Sisters of Mary Queen of Peace, Sr Kim Hoa Ha, Sr Minh, Sr Nhung and Sr Phuong, renewed their vows at their chapel in Bonner ACT on Saturday, January 31 at a Mass to celebrate the Presentation of our Lord Jesus in the Holy Temple, which is the World Day of Consecrated Life.
Leader of the Canberra Congregation, Sr Kim Hoa Ha, welcomed everyone and said her Order built on traditions from Vietnam combined with Australian traditions learned from domestic dialogue, mutual listening, sharing opinions and seeking “the common search for paths according to the Spirit” as recently stressed by Pope Leo. Consecrated life begins with a stirring in the heart; the urge to bring the light of Christ to the world, to bring hope, peace, justice, healing and love, she said.
Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo, celebrated the Mass with concelebrants Monsignor Alfred Rayan, First Secretary of the Nunciature and Fr John Armstrong, in the presence of supporters and fellow religious on a balmy evening (39 C) in the national capital.
The gathering after Mass for the World Day of Consecrated Life in Canberra, with Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo (front, centre). PHOTO: Supplied.
The Sisters knelt in the chapel, each holding lighted candles, as they renewed their vows in a moving ceremony. In his homily, the Papal Nuncio said Joseph and Mary’s action in presenting Jesus in the Temple was in line with Jewish Law and tradition, signifying purification of the mother and consecration of the first-born son. The Nuncio recalled his own family’s tradition on Sundays when he was a child which included a bun from the local bakery after morning Mass.
He said Jesus’ presence among us is a call for repentance, which is a continuous process. Just as in a glass factory when the glass is repeatedly heated, removing impurities each time, eventually the blob of molten glass becomes a beautiful object; a work of art. The Nuncio said the Sisters of Mary Queen of Peace are the Spirit of God living in the Canberra community.
CRA also celebrated the lives of consecrated women and men giving thanks for another year of their generous witness in the daily challenges of church life and missionary endeavours.
CRA President, Br Gerard Brady CFC, said that as consecrated religious gather across the globe, “we honour the sacred Ministry of each as a presence of the light of Christ to the world”.
“This celebration aligns with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, whereby Jesus was consecrated in the temple into the wholesomeness of life, blessed by a gracious God,” he said. “On this day, he became a ‘light to the nations’, surrounded by those who loved him dearly. As consecrated religious we too are to be bearers of that same light which our Earth communities need so much today.
“We hear God's word to us today, ‘you are a light to the world’. By illuminating the goodness of those whose lives we embrace each day into our ministries, especially those who are poor and disenfranchised, we become light bearers of one who is light for our fragile world.”
CRA Vice-President, Sr Philippa Murphy FDNSC, said: “This World Day of Consecrated Life invites us to reflect on what it truly means to say that we are consecrated, women and men. It begins always with the heart. A new and prophetic call is stirring among us, a call as Pat Murray IBVM so clearly expresses, ‘to journey with people in the big questions of life, the big questions about survival of the planet, the big questions about the oppression of people, their suffering, the daily struggles of people to live fully and humanly’.
“In a world marked by war, violence, division, ecological distress and the silent suffering of so many our consecrated lives stand as quiet yet powerful signs of God's tenderness as we celebrate this World Day of Consecrated Life. Thank you for your commitment and fidelity. May our collective YES to following Jesus continue to bring hope, peace, justice, healing and above all, love, wherever we are, present you.”
This article was drawn from a range of sources, including Melbourne Catholic, the Facebook pages of the Dioceses of Wollongong and Townsville, and the website of Catholic Religious Australia and a contributed article on behalf of the Sisters of Mary Queen of Peace.