World Day of Consecrated Life gives pause to my journey as a religious

This past Sunday, Feb. 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Church celebrated World Day for Consecrated Life. Hearts were lifted in prayer and gratitude for all those who have dedicated their life to Christ. Pope Saint John Paul II instituted this day in 1997 to recognize nuns, monks and hermits who lead a contemplative life, as well as to show appreciation to religious sisters and brothers, and consecrated virgins who live an apostolic life.  

Those who lead a contemplative life focus on silence and prayer. Religious in apostolic life are in ministry. All forms of consecrated life, be these contemplative or apostolic, are characterized by their commitment to the evangelical counsels [the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience] and  to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the common prayer of the Church. 

The religious in apostolic communities are engaged in works of charity locally or globally. Many of these religious orders often serve in response to a need of the local Church within their diocese. Other apostolic religious minister to Catholics in countries around the world. Some communities here send brothers or sisters to places that are in crisis.  Case in point, there are religious providing services in Australia, the Philippines and Puerto Rico. 

The Diocese of Metuchen is fortunate to have nearly 300 religious in contemplative as well as apostolic communities. They minister throughout the four counties which comprise the Diocese of Metuchen and daily give of themselves in prayer and in ministry. They serve in many fields including spirituality, healthcare, education, legal and social services, prison and parish ministries. Others lead their congregations on leadership teams, and still others work in diocesan offices. I, for example, am the religious delegate in our diocese.  

It is interesting to note that one of the first things people say about religious sisters and brothers is, “They are so happy!” I couldn’t agree more. Joy was what first attracted me to discern my vocation with the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham. Joy has been what I hear repeatedly whenever I have an opportunity to join the vocation team of the diocese to give vocation awareness talks at various parishes and schools. Vocation directors, being aware of the decline in men and women entering religious life, dedicate much energy toward raising awareness among youth and young adults that there is joy in response to God’s call.  

World Day for Consecrated Life is yet another reminder of the reality that Jesus continues to call women and men to follow him as he did the apostles. This day is also a time for the laity to learn more about those who have responded to God’s call. “What can they tell us?” The women and men in religious life can speak to how they became aware of their calling, what made them say, “yes” and most importantly, what helps them through tough times. 

Each person’s experience of encountering the Lord is unique and is somewhat of a mystery. No one can explain their relationship with the invisible God fully. But all in consecrated life would say that once they have decided to be a sister or brother there is peace and joy. They can speak to the deep meaning, something fresh and new, that they found in a life dedicated to prayer and service to the Church. Religious of today take pride in being set apart by God for a special purpose even in this challenging time.  

“What really is God’s call, some might ask?” When all is said and done, it is a call to love-- love God and love your neighbors. “…Do you love me more than these?...” Jesus asks Peter              [Jn. 21:15] during one of the final moments before Jesus returns to heaven. Normally, life’s options for young people could include a family of their own, a house, a rewarding job, a nice car, and perhaps more. It takes courage to leave all of these life options that the world offers to follow the Shepherd’s voice.  Their ‘fiat’ is like that of our Blessed Mother. Just as she journeyed in life through all phases of joys, difficulties and suffering we, too, commit to a total following that would not be for a day or for a period of time, but for life. It’s that radical. “This then is the consecrated life…[the] prophetic vision that reveals what counts.”  (Pope Francis, Homily on Feb. 2, 2019)

As lofty as the call to follow Jesus may sound, many of us are humbled by our calling knowing full well our weaknesses and struggles. In close circles of friends, we often share examples of how we are unlikely candidates and undeserving of the Kingdom of God. Giving up everything to follow Christ is not about how good we are.  It is about how awesome God is. We never cease to be amazed at what God can do in our lives. God continues to reveal himself in new and surprising ways, creatively designed for each person he has chosen. For a young woman to leave ‘the world’ for the convent or a young man for the seminary may be understood as loss. This negative view can only be reversed when family and friends can see how joyful it is to embrace Christ and his way to holiness.

What we give to God is but a drop in the ocean when compared to what God gives to us. Persons in consecrated life spend their lives giving witness to the joy, peace and love of God that is unfathomable and unending. Let us all express our deepest gratitude to the women and men who have consecrated their lives to God and live to serve among us each day. We are truly blessed because of them.

Please pray, too, for more vocations and for the grace for us in consecrated life to be faithful in good times and in difficult ones. Only then can we say, “Yes, Lord,” […] “you know that I love you.”  [Jn. 21:15]