by Vivian Imbruglia
and the N.R.V.C.
The World Day for Consecrated Life flows from the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, recognizing the gift of Jesus as the Light of the world, just as consecrated women and men are called to reflect the presence and light of Jesus to people of our contemporary world.
This annual celebration was begun by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1997.
Pope Francis promoted this special celebration throughout his years as Pope, noting the significance and relevance of consecrated life today in his Papal homily for the 2025 celebration:
Consecrated obedience can act as an antidote to this isolated individualism, for it promotes an alternative model of relationship marked by active listening, where “speaking” and “listening” are followed by the concreteness of “acting”, even at the cost of setting aside our own tastes, plans and preferences. Only in this way, in fact, can a person fully experience the joy of gift, overcoming loneliness and discovering the meaning of his or her existence in God’s greater plan.
Pope Francis
Pope Leo XIV continues highlighting the beauty and the challenge of consecrated life. In his address during the Jubilee celebration of Consecrated Life on October 9, 2025, he encouraged consecrated women and men to “…wake up the world…”, to be agents of peace, unity, joy and hope – in both their words and their deeds. Like Pope Francis, his encouraging words flow from his own initial calling as a consecrated religious priest.
Living out a vocation
and Sister Cecilia Maria, CP, with Most Rev. Giuseppe Adobati Carrara, CP, General Superior of the Passionists
Our worldwide Passionist Family includes the “gift” of women and men who consecrate their lives to the Good News of Jesus, living out their vocation as priests, nuns, religious sisters and brothers dedicated to prayer, community life and ministry.
Our Passionist life is based on the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, plus our special Passionist vow to lovingly promote the memory of Jesus Crucified.
Indeed, we thank God for the gift of Passionist Consecrated Life!
May this annual celebration of Consecrated Life encourage each of us in our vocational commitment to build up the Church, the Body of Christ!
May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire men and women to generously respond to God’s call to a priestly or religious vocation, especially as a Passionist priest, brother, nun or sister!
On behalf of all consecrated Passionists, thank you for your continued prayerful support and encouragement, assuring you a heartfelt remembrance in our daily life’s prayer and ministries.
