Pro Orantibus Day - the contemplative vocation.

Today's feast of the Presentation of Mary (November 21st) is also a day designated by the church to honour those men and women who live a cloistered and contemplative life and vocation - Pro Orantibus Day. As a church we are asked to offer spiritual and material support to those in religious life who have dedicated their lives to prayer and sacrifice.

In celebrating the feast today, Pope Francis visited cloistered nuns in Rome. In his address, the Holy Father explained that Mary understood that the will of God outlines a higher law and he reflected on Our Lady's unconditional love and trust and described her as a role model for all Christians. In a real sense, those who live the cloistered contemplative life conform their lives in imitation of our Blessed Mother.

The Dominican family in Ireland is blessed to have our own contemplative Dominican nuns at the monastery of Saint Catherine of Siena in Drogheda, County Louth. Today we pray for them in a special way and ask that their dedication to Mary, the Mother of God will give them abundant graces and blessings - and new vocations too. Visit their website www.dominicannuns.ie