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Pray for Vocations

World Day for Consecrated Life

Sunday, February 4, 2024, Bishop Bonnar will celebrate the gift of religious life at St. Columba Cathedral, at the 10:30 a.m. liturgy.

All religious who have or are currently living and or working in the diocese are encouraged to attend.  The Youngstown Vocations Society will provide a social following the liturgy.

We encourage parishes to remember this day during their weekend liturgies and to recognize any religious who serve in the parish.

Resources to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life:

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day for women and men in consecrated life. This global celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.

The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.

While all the baptized are called to share a common relationship with God: to be “religious” or holy in the broad sense of the word, those choosing to live consecrated lives elect to follow a specific tradition or spirituality often patterned after the life and teaching of the founder of their community. This special day draws attention to the contributions that consecrated men and women make to the Church and society at-large.

There are several ways to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life.

  • Invite sisters, brothers, and priests to publicly renew their vows at Mass,
  • send cards of support to newer entrants,
  • ask to visit a mother house to meet and pray with sisters, brothers, and priests,
  • invite a vocation director to visit your classroom, Board meeting, or faith group to learn more about consecrated life.
  • Send flowers,
  • make a donation to a religious community, or
  • invite someone to discern their vocation to consecrated life!

 

“BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

GO FORTH! Remember the beauty of your
first call. Jesus continues to call you today
with the same full love and untamed grace.

GO FORTH! There is always more to do, to
encounter, to be grateful for, to be astonished
by. Begin and end with the joy of prayer—the
marrow of consecrated life.

GO FORTH! Each of us has a role to play in
the Church. Witness and sow well each day,
and look to tomorrow with hope.

GO FORTH! Grow in love for God so that
others will be attracted by the divine light
in you. Welcome the new vocations the Lord
sends to continue the work of consecration.

We ask this through the intercession of Mary,
Mother of God and first disciple of her son,
Jesus, our Lord. Amen.”
— Pope Francis

Adapted from the concluding message of Pope Francis at the close of the Year of Consecrated Life on XX World Day of Consecrated Life.
Icon used with permission from Vivian Imbruglia.

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Date

Feb 04 2025

Time

10:30 am

Labels

Diocesan Event,
Prayer

Location

St. Columba Cathedral
154 West Wood Street Youngstown, OH 44503

Other Locations

All Parishes
See website for a parish near you
Website
https://doy.org/parishes/

Organizer

Office of Clergy & Vowed Religious
Phone
(330) 744-8451, ext. 239
Email
mbalash@youngstowndiocese.org
Resources for Parishes
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