Special Mass to honor religious brothers and sisters, jubilarians

CHARLOTTE — All are invited to come out and say “thank you” to all the consecrated men and women who serve in the diocese during the annual Mass for World Day for Consecrated Life. Bishop Peter Jugis will offer the Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte.

Established by then-Pope John Paul II in 1997, this annual celebration is held in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day, commemorating the coming of Christ, the Light of the World, through the symbolic lighting of candles. Similarly, consecrated men and women are called to spread the light and love of Jesus Christ through their unique witness of selfless service.

The World Day for Consecrated Life was celebrated by the universal Church on Feb. 2, and parishes across the diocese will celebrate over the weekend of Feb. 4-5 in order to highlight the work and legacy of consecrated men and women in the western half of North Carolina.

stage,” Sister Mary Raphael said. “Receiving the decree from the bishop, it felt like our father was saying, ‘I give you my blessing’ and the Church looks upon this now. She recognizes his daughters.”

The Daughters of the Virgin Mother have eight women in various stages of formation: one postulant, two novices and four who have taken temporary vows. Only Sister Mary Raphael has made final vows, giving her life in service to the Church as a Daughter of the Virgin Mother.

“The distinctive mission of the Daughters of the Virgin Mother…is to actively serve Christ the High Priest through His ordained priests, and those aspiring to it, by assisting in their spiritual and practical needs with an evangelical availability animated by a life of contemplative prayer in the image of Our Lady,” Sister Mary Raphael said.

Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, serves as the Daughters’ spiritual advisor. He applauds the “joyful, balanced atmosphere that is created by the presence of the sisters” amid the flourishing seminarian program. With its membership increasing, the Daughters of the Virgin Mother has outgrown its Loreto Convent in Gastonia, prompting the purchase of a second property in Belmont, called the Bethany Convent. Renovations are under way so that all of the members can live in community under one roof.

The Daughters’ growth, the bishop’s decree and the future convent have inspired the sisters to pray even more fervently for the diocese and for an increase in priestly and religious vocations, Sister Mary Raphael said.

As for the next step – petitioning Rome to become a religious community – that is up to the Holy Spirit, she said, and not on any specific timeline. “I will be docile to the Holy Spirit. I will be patient, always working in collaboration with our bishop, listening to his advice.”

Learn more

At www.daughtersofthevirginmother.com : Find out more about the Daughters of the Virgin Mother and their work

Bishop Jugis also will recognize consecrated men and women who are celebrating milestone, or “jubilee,” anniversaries in 2023. Jubilarians this year include Trappist Sister Genevieve Durcan (Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance) and Franciscan Sister Jane Russell (Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis), who are both celebrating 60 years of professed religious life.

— SueAnn Howell

Prayer for religious brothers and sisters in the diocese

For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. Amen.

Monk professes solemn vows

BELMONT — On Jan. 14, the monastic community of Belmont Abbey celebrated the profession of solemn vows (also known as final vows) by Brother Bede McKeon. The celebration occurred during the regular 11 a.m. daily Mass at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. The Mass was open to the local community of Belmont and the community of Belmont Abbey College. Brother Bede was accompanied by his mother, father and brother, who participated in the Mass as lectors and gift bearers. Abbot Placid Solari concelebrated the Mass alongside 13 priests who joined the community to witness the monk’s profession of vows and entrance into the community. Brother Bede now joins the monks at Belmont Abbey as a full member of the Benedictine order and will take on the duties that come with the vocation to consecrated life. He is pictured above laying prostrate before the altar, part of the rite of profession.