A Visit With our Bishop

Presented, consecrated

Yesterday (Thursday, Feb 2), we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation, when we recall how Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, in accord with the Law of Moses, to present their firstborn Son to God. Consider the situation. On one level, they are simply following the prescribed religious customs of their people. On the other hand, they are bringing the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity into His Temple. Remember the words of Jesus toward the end of His earthly life, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rebuild it.” (John 2:19)

The Holy Family encounters Simeon and Anna in the Temple (Luke 2:22-38), where they begin to perceive the scope of the destiny of this Child. Since the Presentation isn’t a movable feast, it’s a special treat to be able to celebrate it on a Sunday this year. This feast of the Presentation is also the occasion for the observance of the World Day for Consecrated Life. Here in the United States, we hold this observance on the nearest weekend. This year, we are celebrating consecrated life in our Church on Feb. 4 and 5.

What is the World Day for Consecrated Life?
It is an annual celebration to highlight persons who have made a special consecration in the Catholic Church.

How did the celebration begin?
The Church in Rome has celebrated consecrated life on Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, for many years. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter on this feast day. Consecrated persons carry candles in the entrance procession, serve as lectors, and bring the bread and wine in the offertory procession. In 1997, Blessed Pope John Paul II called for consecrated life to be promoted throughout the universal Church and declared Feb. 2 to be observed as World Day for Consecrated Life.

What are the purposes of the World Day of Consecrated Life?
In his message for the first World Day for Consecrated Life, Blessed Pope John Paul II said the day offers the opportunity to thank God for the gift of consecrated life, to promote knowledge of the life, to invite consecrated people to celebrate what the Lord has accomplished in them, and to acquire more awareness of their mission in the Church and in the world.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his message last year for this celebration, commended vowed religious men and women throughout the world to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I would like to share his prayer with all of you now:

O, Mary, Mother of the Church, I entrust all consecrated people to you, that you may obtain for them the fullness of divine light: may they live in listening to the Word of God, in the humility of following Jesus, your Son and our Lord, in the acceptance of the visit of the Holy Spirit, in the daily joy of the Magnificat, so that the Church may be edified by the holy lives of these sons and daughters of yours, in the commandment of love. Amen.

And I ask that all of us offer fervent prayers of thanks to God for the splendid witness and dedication of the many consecrated sisters, brothers and priests who have been at the heart of the work of the Church here in the Diocese of Jefferson City. May God send more such workers into His harvest!

And I am happy to share with all of you this special prayer for Consecrated Persons to help us observe this special moment:

God our Father, we thank You for calling men and women to serve in Your Son’s kingdom as sisters, brothers, religious priests, consecrated virgins, and hermits, as well as members of secular institutes. Renew their knowledge and love of You and send Your Holy Spirit to help them respond generously and courageously to Your will. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.