Friday, February 28, 2014

Year for Consecrated Life November 30th 2014 to February 2nd 2016 - the joy of vocation

More details have been announced about the upcoming year for consecrated life which will begin on the first Sunday of Advent this year and conclude on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord - almost fourteen months later.

In a letter released a couple of days ago by the Prefect and Secretary for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in preparation for the year, religious have been asked to reflect on the joy associated with the moment when they first realised that God was calling them.

The letter goes on to state that this 'rememberance' of joy of being called will make consecrated men and women better evangelisers and also better promoters of new vocations. The letter states that the 'crisis' of vocations and the crisis many religious are experiencing today represent a crisis of memory that renders many consecrated men and women incapable of experiencing true joy in being faithful.

The year for consecrated life will include meetings with religious orders of other Christian churches along with gatherings for younger religious women and men in Rome and various parts of the world.

As a vocations director it is very heartening that the first official communication about the year for consecrated life focuses on the notion of joy in one's vocation and the call to remember that so that in turn we may attract others to this radical way of life.

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