February 2nd marks the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord—but that is not the only celebration recognized in the Church on this day. It also goes hand-in-hand with the World Day for Consecrated Life, that was instituted by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997.
On this day, Pope Francis will preside over Mass. He will be joined by members of the Institute of Consecrated Life and the Society of Apostolic Life.
In past years, Pope Francis has used his homily to call for greater awareness and appreciation of the gift of this vocation.
POPE FRANCIS
Today’s frantic pace leads us to close many doors to encounter, often for fear of others. Only shopping malls and internet connections are always open. Yet that is not how it should be with consecrated life: the brother and the sister given to me by God are a part of my history, gifts to be cherished. May we never look at the screen of our cellphone more than the eyes of our brothers or sisters.
Mass for the World Day for Consecrated Life will be held Friday, February 2nd at 5:30pm in St. Peter's Basilica.
AT
