Today is the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, consecrated life “is characterized by the public profession of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, in a stable state of life recognized by the Church”. This form of life includes religious priests, religious sisters, religious brothers and consecrated virgins.
To mark today’s special day of prayer, here’s a special message from Dawn Hausmann, Director of Consecrated Vocations for the Diocese of Lansing, addressed to all consecrated people and those who are currently discerning consecrated life. Dawn writes:
Dear men and women of God,
On this feast day of the Presentation of our Lord, the Church invites us to a World Day of Prayer for the Consecrated Life. This celebration is also transferred to the weekend, Feb 5-6 so we can better celebrate the consecrated life in our parish families.
As we celebrate Christ being the light of the world on this day known as “Candlemas,” we also highlight the gift of consecrated men and women. We pray that they may be the light of Christ’s presence to all those in the Church as well as in the midst of the world.
Heavenly Father, we pray for those in our diocese who are living consecrated to your Son as Priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers, Consecrated Virgins, and all Consecrated men and women set apart for yourself and for the service of the Church. Please help them live as joyful witnesses of your kingdom in the world, faithful to the charism of virginity and celibate life. Bless them as they live as spiritual fathers and mothers to your people in great need of knowing you. We are grateful for the consecrated men and women of our diocese.
Lastly, we pray for the young men and women of our diocese who have the same call to be set apart for the Lord and for the service of the church, who have not yet responded to the call or are on the journey. Lord, please give your sons and daughters courage to step forth in faith and trust in the great plans and wild adventures that you have in store for them.
Come Holy Spirit! Call forth your sons and daughters to this Vocation of Love with you, the Pearl of Great Price!
Peace,
Dawn
• Do you feel that God may be calling you to Consecrated Life? Contact Dawn at dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org or 517-342-2506.