Bishop: ‘You show that holiness is possible’
The World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life was observed on Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, with Bishop Barry C. Knestout celebrating Mass for the diocese’s men and women in consecrated life. This marks the 27th year for the annual day of prayer.
Father Anthony E. Marques, cathedral rector, and Father Brian W. Capuano, vicar for vocations and interim director, Office of Worship, were among those concelebrating the Mass, as were priests in consecrated life. Other religious served as lectors.
Because the day of prayer is observed on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – Candlemas – the celebration began with Bishop Knestout blessing candles on the cathedral plaza, followed by the congregation processing into the church with lit candles.
In announcing the day of prayer, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops explained that on Candlemas, “candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.”
“St. Pope John Paul established the day of prayer in 1997 as a way to emphasize a focus on vocations to various forms of consecrated life,” Father Capuano explained.
“The day of prayer is an opportunity to invite all men to come and meet Christ and be transformed by his grace,” he said. “It is an invitation for some men and women to consider uniting themselves in consecration to the Lord with great joy to witness to his glory in the world …”
The 32 religious who attended the celebration represented the 130 priests, brothers and sisters in approximately two dozen religious communities who live and minister in the Diocese of Richmond. They serve in parishes, healthcare, education, evangelization, social work and monastic life which, in addition to a life of prayer, includes ventures to support congregations such as making Communion hosts and cheese.
Among the attendees were Franciscans, Benedictines, Carmelites, Sisters of Mercy, Dominicans, Comboni Missionary Sisters, members of the Madonna House Apostolate, Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hanoi, Daughters of Mary Immaculate, Trappist Cistercians, and a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter.
“I’m honored to be invited for this special day for all in consecrated life,” said Sister Mary Cecilia, a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia and principal of St. Mary Star of the Sea School, Hampton. This is her second year in the diocese and the event was her first visit to the cathedral. “I’m grateful for the support of the bishop.”
“It is important for religious men and women to have recognition. They have such a strong presence in the diocese and are engaged in many ministries,” said Nazia Shafi, diocesan coordinator for women religious. “To be able to recognize their work and service is important. It’s important to say thank you to them.”
In reflecting on the Mass, Shafi, who coordinates the annual day of prayer for the diocese, said, “It’s a great time for us to pray for consecrated men and women that they remain committed to consecrated life, and for God’s gift of vocation.”
During Mass, those in consecrated life renewed their vows to live their lives following Christ in chastity, poverty and obedience, and to serve the Church in the ministries entrusted to their particular institutes.
Pope Francis, in his 2023 day of prayer message, and Bishop Knestout, in his homily, made clear the important role of those in consecrated life and their appreciation for them.
This role “derives from the particular gift you have received: a gift that gives your witness a special character and value, for the very fact that you are fully dedicated to God and to His Kingdom, in poverty, virginity and obedience,” the pope explained to the consecrated religious. “Beyond this fundamental gift, your mission is enriched by the charisms of your institutes and societies, the charisms of your founders.”
“The Church has always considered consecrated life as a higher, or a greater calling, in comparison to other vocations,” Bishop Knestout said. “The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are helps for disciples, those who are called to live today in a way analogous to those in heaven.”
That “special calling,” the bishop said, is necessary in the Church, focusing on its importance within the context of a world in perpetual crisis.
“Because you share the same struggles and challenges in leading lives of holiness, you, by your embrace of the evangelical counsels, your embrace of these helps to holiness, can give encouragement and consolation to all who struggle to lead holy lives … You show that holiness is possible,” he said.