“Year of Consecrated Life” Culminates Feb. 2

The Year of Consecrated Life culminates within the Jubilee of Mercy, with events on January 28-February 02 in Rome. Themed “Consecrated life in communion: The common foundation in the variety of forms”, the events aim “to get to know better the great mosaic of consecrated life, to live communion rediscovering the single call uniting the variety of forms (i.e. Ordo Virginum, monastic life, apostolic institutes, secular institutes, new institutes and new forms of consecrated life), starting out together on the path of the great Jubilee of Mercy that once more gives all consecrated persons the specific mandate of their vocation: to be guided by the Father’s mercy, witnesses and builders of an authentically lived fraternity.”

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life in connection to the celebration attached in the Presentation of the lord in February 2 also known as Candlemass Day, the day which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ is the light of the world.

The celebration of the World Day for consecrated life is intended to help the entire church to esteem over more the witness of those persons who have chosen to follow Christ by means of the practice of the evangelical counsel and also intended to be suitable occasion for consecrated person to rebuild their commitment and rekindle the fervor which should inspire their offering of themselves to the lord.

The mission of consecrated life in the present and in the future of the church, now at the threshold of the third millennium, concerns not merely those who have received this special chrism but the entire Christian community.

In Davao City it will be celebrated at San Pedro Cathedral at 5:30pm (Tuesday) to be led by the Archbishop of Davao, Archbishop Romulo Valles under the theme “Consecrated life in communion. The common foundation in the variety of forms, on these days there will be meetings, prayer vigils, times for regrouping and examining in greater depth that specifies of each form, looking prophetically towards the future.” The mass will serve as the closing ceremony which is “Presentation of The Lord”.

“Together let us thank the Father, who called us to follow Jesus by fully embracing the Gospel and serving the church and poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is the source of our joy and witness to God’s love and mercy before world.”

Consecrated life is a life where it chooses to accept Christ’s invitation to leave everything and decide to follow Him in a more essential way by making a vow to live in poverty, chastity and obedience just like Jesus. Definitely it’s a life that is devoted for holy purpose.

Some religious congregations show their devotions in celebrating the YCL. The Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) joined the Vocation Jamboree at Saint Frances Xavier Seminary Catalunan Grande, Davao City where it was also attended by different congregations.

RVM community is one of the active religious congregations that conducted activities that are associated with the celebration of the YCL. In 2015 they went to Matina, Davao city and invited young ladies where the nuns able to share their life having the vocation they have. Sr Ma Goreti Yati RVM “there’s a young lady who approached us and she asked to join the congregation”. The lady who approached was one of their participants who was inspired to live a life devoted to God. At this time, she is currently one of the aspirants of the RVM.

Sr Ma Goreti Yati RVM a nun from Indonesia who have been staying here in Davao City for almost 3 years shared some of her experiences during the activities with the RVM congregation. She was able to visit home for elderly and orphanage. They gave food and of course they gave word of wisdom to inspire them as well as to give them hope. Sr. Yati personally shared her insight about the YCL, she said “it reminds me that I must strengthen my faith, it reminds me to live with my chosen vocation, and it allows me to reflect.”

As they end the YCL the RVM will have a gathering that would allow them to share their personal experiences they had during the activities conducted. That will be also the time for them to celebrate for the success of the YCL. (Renzy Julls Quirog)