Sixteen religious communities in the diocese joined Bishop Earl Fernandes for a Mass celebrating the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Priests in the diocese were invited to concelebrate the 5:15 p.m. Mass at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral. A dinner for clergy and consecrated religious was held in the cathedral undercroft after Mass.
The children’s choir from Lancaster St. Bernadette Church joined for the Mass.
Consecrated religious communities present included the Apostolic Sisters of St. John; Children of Mary; Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro; Congregation of Sisters of St. Dominic, Immaculate Conception Province; Daughters of Holy Mary of the Heart of Jesus; Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters); Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy; Dominican Sisters of Peace; Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist; Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity; Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (FIH); Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception; Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Word; Order of the Most Holy Savior of St. Bridget (Bridgettines) and Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“The full realization of the true happiness of the consecrated life is very real – a very precious thing, undoubtedly part of the hundredfold which Christ has promised to those who leave all and follow Him,” said Sister Zephrina Mary, FIH, director of the diocesan Missions Office, who attended the Mass with consecrated sisters in her religious order. “I thank God for His special call and grace to lead a religious life and follow Him daily with a smile.”
Consecrated men and women celebrating a jubilee anniversary were recognized by the bishop at dinner that evening.
Sister Mariellen Phelps of the Dominican Sisters of Peace celebrated the 80th anniversary of her consecration. Three sisters in the order celebrated 75 years, seven celebrated 70 years, six celebrated 65 years, another six celebrated 60 years, one sister celebrated 50 years and another 25 years.
Two consecrated religious – one with the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro and another belonging to the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity – celebrated the 50th anniversary of their consecration.
Two Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception celebrated their 25th anniversary.
Two priests from religious communities were also recognized for their jubilee anniversaries.
Father Slawomir Siok, SAC (Society of the Catholic Apostolate, or Pallottines), pastor at Columbus St. Mary Magdalene Church, celebrated 35 years of his priesthood, and Father Michael Donovan, O de M (Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, or Mercedarians), pastor at Columbus Holy Family Church, celebrated 25 years.
The World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, celebrated globally, recognizes the dedication and impact of consecrated religious.
The celebration was instituted by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997 as a day of prayer for men and women in consecrated life. It coincides with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph presented Jesus in the temple 40 days after His birth.
Feb. 2 is also recognized on the Church calendar as Candlemas. All liturgical candles to be used during the year are blessed that day. Candles were blessed at St. Joseph Cathedral preceding Mass.
The candlelight symbolizes Christ as the light of the world. Consecrated religious are called by their vocation to reflect the light of Christ to all people.
