Awakening Lives And Consciences
Pope Francis, who celebrated his 79th birthday in December, has not wasted any precious time making the most of his papacy. Although there have been several special years of grace (e.g. The Year of St. Paul, The Year of the Priest, etc.), rarely do such years overlap. Yet, this has been the case for the Year of Consecrated Life, which ended Feb. 2 of this week/year, and the Jubilee of Mercy, which began on Dec. 8 of last year. I would suggest that there is more than just a coincidental overlap here.
When Pope Francis initially called for a special year to focus on consecrated life, which began on the First Sunday of Advent (e.g. Nov. 21) in 2014, he exhorted religious women and men to “wake up the world” with the testimony of faith, holiness and hope. On various occasions, he has spoken of the indispensable value of consecrated life in the Church’s mission. Nowhere is this more needed or effective than in giving witness to the mercy of God in our midst. While the Year of Consecrated Life, in light of the Holy Father’s emphasis, was meant primarily for those in consecrated life to especially focus on their unique vocation and celebrate their particular charisms in the life of the Church and the proclamation of the Gospel, it has been a special opportunity for the whole Church to express gratitude, support, encouragement and prayer for all those contemplating and embracing religious or consecrated life.
As I noted in my homily and bishop’s article, both in November 2014, in honor of the inauguration of the Year of Consecrated Life, we are blessed in the Diocese of Evansville to have such wonderful women and men who witness to the gift of religious life among us. Despite personal sacrifice, and hardships experienced by some, they overwhelmingly exude the joy of the gospel and transforming effects of mercy. From the earliest presence of the Catholic faith in the area of the world that makes up our Diocese, religious women and men of consecrated life have been awakening lives and consciences of men, women and children, young and old, to the mercy of the Father, the redemptive grace of the Son and the saving power of the Holy Spirit.
The vocation to consecrated life is certainly worthy of our gratitude, prayer and support. We do well in every parish and school of our Diocese to continue encouraging young men and women to consider religious life. While it is a road less traveled, not for the faint of heart, it is way of life that springs eternal. Given all the violence, indifference and disregard for the dignity of persons and sacredness of life, our world needs to be awakened ever more fully to the incredible witness of faith, hope, mercy, peace and charity that permeates the witness and experience of consecrated life. Indeed, Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of such life and witness well lived. Those who have actually encountered the person of Jesus Christ always seek to lead others to the inexpressible joy of encountering the face of the Father’s mercy. Few do it better than those who have embraced consecrated life.
