'Brimming with Joy': Archdiocese to celebrate Consecrated Life Feb. 3
January 29, 2019
HOUSTON — On Feb. 3, women and men in consecrated life will gather in celebration with Daniel Cardinal DiNardo at the 11 a.m. Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston. The public is invited to attend.
Pope Francis challenged consecrated men and women religious on the World Day of Consecrated Life in 2018: “We have to remember that we can never renew our encounter with the Lord without others; we can never leave others behind, never pass over generations, but must accompany one another daily, keeping the Lord always at the center. For if the young are called to open new doors, the elderly hold the keys.”
In Galveston-Houston, there are approximately 400 women and 200 men in religious life — prophetic signs of God’s closeness, and eager to share their lives, hopes and joys at this time of celebration.
Local religious serve in a broad variety of ministries: as priests, educators, ministers in health care, retreat work and spiritual direction, catechetical ministry, pastoral care, and services among the home bound, the poor and marginalized.
In 1997, Pope St. John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. Pope Francis encouraged consecrated men and women religious to be like the women who were first to meet the Risen Lord.
“Cling to Him and go off immediately to tell your brothers and sisters, your eyes brimming with joy,” he said. “In this way, you are the Church’s perennial dawn. You, dear consecrated brothers and sisters, are the Church’s perennial dawn! I ask you to renew this very day your encounter with Jesus, to walk together towards him. And this will give light to your eyes and strength to your steps.”