World Day for Consecrated Life
On 2 February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we also celebrate a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This day connects the two experiences of a living encounter with the Lord and his people. Those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. Reflecting on this in 2011 Pope Benedict explains how the evangelical image of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple contains the fundamental symbol of light that comes from Christ and shines on Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna, and through them, on everyone. The Church Fathers connected this radiance with the spiritual journey.
This feast is also known as Candlemas Day: the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ the light of the world.
More information about this Day of Prayer HERE
Wake up the World icon and prayer card can be downloaded HERE
2020 Papal Homily for the 24th World Day for Consecrated Life HERE
Why did you do this? Because you fell in love with Jesus, you saw everything in him, and enraptured by his gaze, you left the rest behind. Religious life is this vision. It means seeing what really matters in life. It means welcoming the Lord’s gift with open arms, as Simeon did. This is what the eyes of consecrated men and women behold: the grace of God poured into their hands. The consecrated person is one who every day looks at himself or herself and says: “Everything is gift, all is grace”. Pope Francis
On this day you might light a candle to remember all those who have consecrated their life to God in a variety of ways.
Pray they have the courage to go forth to witness and sow well, by making each day brighter with their constant love for God.