World Day of Consecrated Life - a wonderful gift to the entire Church

by Sr. Margaret McHugh, DSMP

On February 5, we celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life. This year’s theme is Your Light Must Shine! This international celebration began at the request of Pope John Paul II nine years ago and specifically recognizes the vocation of consecrated men and women. In the United States it is always celebrated on the Sunday closest to February 2, the Feast of the Presentation.

So what is "consecrated life"?

Webster’s defines the verb "consecrate" in three ways: 1. to induct a (as a bishop) into an office with a religious rite, 2. to make or declare sacred (ie. a church) or 3. to devote solemnly to a purpose. All three definitions speak to a person or object being "set apart" or dedicated for service to the Church. The consecrated life that we celebrate on February 5th is the vocation to become a sister or brother or member of a secular institute. This calling is sometimes referred to as "religious life" because sisters and brothers are also called "religious".

How is "consecrated life" different from the priesthood?

Although some priests are members of religious communities, most priests work in their own diocese and are not considered part of this vocation. Both priests and consecrated persons are dedicated to God and service of his Church. This total gift of self means that they live celibately without sexual relations with anyone.

The difference between religious and diocesan priestly life is that religious profess three vows and priests take only one. Consecrated persons vow chastity, poverty and obedience while priests promise to live as celibates and vow obedience to their bishop.

Besides the vows, there is also the difference in whether or not they can administer sacraments. The role of a priest involves the administration of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Annointing, witnessing the sacrament of Marriage and the celebration of Mass. The only sacrament religious can administer is the one any lay person can give, that of Baptism. Yet another difference can be seen in the way religious live in community and have some outward sign of their consecration.

Consecrated life is a great gift to the whole Church, not just because of all that men and women religious accomplish. Think for a moment about all the Catholic schools and Catholic health care systems which the sisters envisioned, built and staffed!

Even more valuable than the work they accomplished, was the testimony they gave. Their lives are a prophetic witness to a radical following of Jesus and to the truth of the Gospel.

Sr. Margaret McHugh, DSMP, is director of Youth Ministry and Vocation Awareness for the Diocese of New Ulm.