2016-02-02 Closure of the Year of Consecrated Life

2 February 2016

Closure of the Year of Consecrated Life

St Peter Basilica -  Roma

Consecrated men and women are called

first and foremost to be men and women of encounter. 

On the afternoon of February 2, the Generalate team planned to participate in the closing mass presided by Pope Francis.  A problem with tickets kept us from attending the mass. Fortunately, Patricia could attend the mass as Superior General of the Congregation

Here is some sharing from this celebration

During his homily the Pope described the just-ended Year of Consecrated Life as "a river", saying "it now flows into the sea of mercy, into the immense mystery of love that we are experiencing through the Extraordinary Jubilee". 

Then quoting from the encyclical "Gaudium et Spes" , he recalled: "All forms of consecrated life, each according to its characteristics, are called to be in a permanent state of mission, sharing “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted" (Gaudium et Spes, 1). 

Pope closes Year of Consecrated Life, calls religious to make courageous choices. Click here to read more  

After the mass, Pope Francis addressed the people who were at St. Peter’s Square. Spontaneously he spoke of the three most important pillars of the consecrated life: prophecy, closeness and hope.

Consecrated life must be close to the people: Click here to read more