Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Consecrated Life for renewal, remembrance, hope
November 25, 2014
HOUSTON — As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is promoting “Days with Religious” initiatives and resources to help families learn about the consecrated life of religious men and women. Activities will focus on sharing experiences of prayer, service and community life with those living a consecrated life.
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ living consecrated lives make great contributions to our society through a vast number of ministries,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of USCCB. “They teach in our schools, take care of the poor and the sick and bring compassion and the love of Christ to those shunned by society; others lead lives of prayer in contemplation for the world.”
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston also has big plans for the Year for Consecrated Life.
“As the days count down to the opening of the 2015 Year of Consecrated Life, we religious want to share with others our enthusiasm and our joy,” said Sister Heloise Cruzat, O.P., vicar for religious of the Archdiocese. “For a number of months, a committee has met to do overall planning for the year. In addition, events offered by individual religious communities will increase our opportunities to share generously in celebration and prayer, study and service.”
According to Sister Cruzat, a major information and announcement vehicle for the 2015 Year of Consecrated Life is the www.archgh.org/ycl, which will feature various resources, including news, prayers and local event listings.
Pope Francis proclaimed 2015 a Year of Consecrated Life, starting on the First Sunday of Advent, the weekend of Nov. 29, 2014, and ending on Feb. 2, 2016, the World Day of Consecrated life.
The year also marks the 50th anniversary of Perfectae Caritatis, a decree on religious life, and Lumen Gentium, the Second Vatican Council’s constitution on the Church. Its purpose, as stated by the Vatican is to “make a grateful remembrance of the recent past” while embracing “the future with hope.”
“The ‘Days with Religious’ activities will represent great opportunities for families and adults to look at the many ways men and women serve Christ and the Church while answering the call to live in consecrated life,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, N.C., chairman of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.
Catholics are invited to join activities that will be promoted in collaboration with the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, (CMSWR), the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM).
Prayers intentions, prayer cards, a video on consecrated life and other resources are available at www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/consecrated-life/year-of-consecrated-life/index.cfm.