2015 The Year of Consecrat ed Life
Events for the Year of Faith (from the USCCB) • February 8, 2015: Religious Open House. – Events will be coordinated to also celebrate the World Meeting of Families to take place in Philadelphia and will include tours, open houses, receptions, family activities, and presentations on the history of religious communities at convents, abbeys, monasteries and religious houses
• Summer 2015: Day of Mission and Service with Religious. – Events will include joining religious in their apostolates or special service projects, such as assisting the elderly, ministering to the poor and homeless, and caring for the less fortunate.
• September 13, 2015: Day of Prayer with Religious. – Events will include vespers, rosary or holy hours in convents, monasteries, religious houses, parishes and churches.
What is the Consecrate d Life?
All baptized Christians are “consecrated” (made holy) by the Sacraments and by their reception, though unworthy, of God’s freely given grace. That is the most important consecration that any Christian can receive, to be initiated into God’s Church
Evangelical Counsels CCC 915 – the profession of the evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity, and obedience), within a permanent state of life recognized by the Church, that characterizes the life consecrated to God. CCC 916: - Consecration rooted in Baptism - Moved by the Holy Spirit, the faithful propose to follow Christ more nearly, to give themselves to God who is loved above all and, pursuing the perfection of charity in the service of the Kingdom, to signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #915:
Christ proposes the evangelical counsels, in their great variety , to every disciple.
Canon 573 The life consecrated through the profession of the evangelical counsels is a stable form of living by which the faithful, following Christ more closely under the action of the Holy Spirit, are totally dedicated to God who is loved most of all, so that, having been dedicated by a new and special title to His honor, to the building up of the Church, and to the salvation of the world, they strive for the perfection of charity in the service of the kingdom of God and, having been made an outstanding sign in the Church, foretell the heavenly glory.
USCCB Segment “3 Minutes”
Forms of Consecrated Life • Religious Life ● ●
Contemplative Active
• Hermits • Consecrated Virgins • Societies of Apostolic Life ●
sometimes are hard to distinguish from religious
• Secular Institutes
As Consecrated‌ CCC 932: - Follow and imitate Christ more nearly - Manifest more clearly his selfemptying - Encourage their brethren by their example, as those who are on this "narrower" path
Discernment
“Portraits of the Call”
Vita Consecrata Video Series
Video One Video Two Video Eight
Eremitic Life • An ancient form of consecrated life begun in the third century, a hermit lives under norms prescribed in Canon Law under the direction of the diocesan bishop. • The Church recognizes the eremitic or anchoritic life by which the Christian faithful devote their life to the praise of God and salvation of the world through a stricter separation from the world, the silence of solitude and assiduous prayer and penance.
Eremitic Life A hermit is recognized in the law as one dedicated to God in a consecrated life if he or she publicly professes the three evangelical counsels, confirmed by a vow or other sacred bond, in the hands of the diocesan bishop and observes his or her own plan of life under his direction. What all have in common is a commitment, under vow to their bishop, to live poorly, chastely, and obediently a life of prayer within the silence of solitude.
Vita Consecrata (7) Hermits bear witness to the impermanence of the world and the fact that we must always remember: that the most important goal in life is to be with the Lord. Consecrated Virgins embody the image of the Heavenly Bride and of the life that is to come. Consecrated widows and widowers serve as a sign of the Kingdom of God, devoting themselves to prayer and service of the Church.
Consecrated Virgins and Widows - The call to a life as a Consecrated Virgin is distinct from other forms of consecrated life in that it is entered by virtue of the Prayer of Consecration rather than by vows or promises. Characterized by a spousal spirituality with Christ, the consecrated virgin lives individually under the direction of the diocesan bishop, dedicates her prayer to the mission of the Church and the people of God, wears a ring of consecration, and earns her own living.
Secular Institutes
CCC 928 - An institute of consecrated life in which the Christian faithful living in the world strive for the perfection of charity and work for the sanctification of the world especially from within." CCC 929 - By a "life perfectly and entirely consecrated to [such] sanctification," the members of these institutes share in the Church's task of evangelization, "in the world and from within the world," where their presence acts as "leaven in the world." "Their witness of a Christian life" aims "to order temporal things according to God and inform the world with the power of the gospel." They commit themselves to the evangelical counsels by sacred bonds and observe among themselves the communion and fellowship appropriate to their "particular secular way of life.“
Societies of Apostolic Life CCC 930 - Alongside the different forms of consecrated life are "societies of apostolic life whose members without religious vows pursue the particular apostolic purpose of their society, and lead a life as brothers or sisters in common according to a particular manner of life, strive for the perfection of charity through the observance of the constitutions. Among these there are societies in which the members embrace the evangelical counsels" according to their constitutions.
Societies of Apostolic Life One of the distinguishing characteristics of these societies is that they are defined by their apostolic goal. They are bound by simple vows, renewed annually, rather than perpetual vows which are professed for life. Societies of apostolic life live in community with their lifestyle and spirituality in support of their apostolic goal. Examples: - Missionary Society of Saint Paul the Apostle (Paulist Fathers) - Daughters of Charity - Maryknoll (Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters) - Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri (Oratorians)
Religious Life CCC 925 Distinguished from other forms of consecrated life by its liturgical character, public profession of the evangelical counsels, fraternal life led in common, and witness given to the union of Christ with the Church. Code of Canon Law 607 Religious Life, as a consecration of the whole person, manifests in the Church a wonderful marriage brought about by God, a sign of the future age. Thus the religious brings to perfection a total self-giving as a sacrifice offered to God, through which his or her whole existence becomes a continuous worship of God in charity.
Religious Life
Religious Life The Church is vital to this process. It acts as MEDIATOR between God and the person called. It receives and ratifies the vows of the consecrated one and assures them of the grace needed to live the life of holy consecration. It shows forth the unbreakable and eternal bond of love between Christ and His Bride, the Church. There is nothing to come between the religious person and God. There is nothing held back from Him. It is a way of life that reflects the life of Heaven because it is a life of TOTAL, LOVING UNION WITH GOD.
INSTITUTES OF RELIGIOUS BROTHERS IN THE U.S. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Alexian Brothers (CFA) • Christian Brothers – Bl. Edmund Rice (CFC Brigittine Monks (OSsS) ) Brotherhood of Hope (BH) • Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn (OSF) Brothers of Charity (FC) Brothers of Christian Instruction (FIC) • Franciscan Brothers of Peace (FBP) • Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross (FFSC) Brothers of Mercy (FMM) • Franciscan Missionary Brothers (OFM) Brothers of Our Lady Mother of Mercy (CFMM) • Holy Cross Brothers (CSC) Brothers of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (FSR) • Hospitaller Brothers of St. Patrick (FSP) Brothers of St. John of God (OH) Brothers of St. Pius X (CSPX) • Little Brothers of St. Francis (LBSF) Brothers of Christian Schools (FSC) • Little Brothers of the Good Shepard Brothers of the Holy Eucharist (FSE) (BGS) Brothers of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis (CFP) • Marist Brothers (FMS) • Missionary Brothers of Charity (MC) Brothers of the Sacred Heart (SC) • Presentation Brothers (FPM) • Xaverian Brothers (CFX)
Joy
Lumen Gentium (44) “The profession of the evangelical counsels, then, appears as a sign which can and ought to attract all the members of the Church to an effective and prompt fulfillment of the duties of their Christian vocation. The people of God have no lasting city here below, but look forward to one that is to come. Since this is so, the religious state, whose purpose is to free its members from earthly cares, more fully manifests to all believers the presence of heavenly goods already possessed here below. Furthermore, it not only witnesses to the fact of a new and eternal life acquired by the redemption of Christ, but it foretells the future resurrection and the glory of the heavenly kingdom.�
Lumen Gentium cont. Christ proposed to His disciples this form of life, which He, as the Son of God, accepted in entering this world to do the will of the Father. This same state of life is accurately exemplified and perpetually made present in the Church. The religious state clearly manifests that the Kingdom of God and its needs, in a very special way, are raised above all earthly considerations. Finally it clearly shows all men both the unsurpassed breadth of the strength of Christ the King and the infinite power of the Holy Spirit marvelously working in the Church.
Consecration: Active or Passive?
Why the Consecrated Life? • Because God calls people to it! • If someone discerns they have a vocation to the consecrated life, that means they believe that God is inviting them to be consecrated to Him in a special way.
Why the Consecrated Life? Consecrated persons desire to live in such a way that their lives point toward Heaven.
Testimony of Sacred Scripture • Luke 18 – The Rich Young Man • Mark 20 – “Whose wife will she be?” • Matthew 19 – On Divorce and Remarriage • 1 Cor. 7 – Remain single as I do • 1 Tim 5 – Rules for Widows
Testimony of Jesus’ Life Luke 9:57-58 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Why the Consecrated Life? A Preview of HEAVEN! • Recall that Jesus teaches that there will not be marriage in eternity • Consecrated Life is then, an attempt to begin living the life of heaven while still on earth
The Year of Consecrate d Life Activity Suggestion (from the USCCB)
Suggestions for Parishes to Foster Vocations to Consecrated Life 1. Invite a woman or a man (brother or priest) in consecrated life to be introduced to the congregation and to greet parishioners at the door of the church after Mass on days celebrating religious life such as the World Day for Consecrated Life or the World Day for Prayer for Vocations. 2. Suggest that parishioners visit a monastery of cloistered monks or nuns to join in prayer or perhaps to make a spiritual retreat. 3. Encourage members of the church to pray for vocations to religious life at the Prayer of the Faithful. 4. Commit resources for promotion of religious order sisters, brothers and priests. 5. Sponsor diocesan adult education programs that teach about the role of religious in the Church. 6. Host annual gatherings of young religious within the diocese and/or region.
Suggestions for Families to Foster Vocations to Consecrated Life 1.Pray for vocations to religious life as a family. 2.Talk with a religious about her/his vocation. 3.If your parish has a vocations committee, learn about their activities and participate in at least one program. If there is no vocation committee, work with other parishioners and the pastor to begin one. 4.Discover a ministry in your area that is sponsored by a religious community and talk with the Mission Director about what makes this ministry unique. If possible, volunteer at the ministry site as a family. 5.Suggest to a single person in your parish the possibility of considering a religious vocation.
Suggestions for Families to Foster Vocations to Consecrated Life 1.Write a letter to your local bishop suggesting a Vocations Fair or Adoration Hour for vocations. Offer to help organize this. 2.Make 10 minutes for silent reading of Sacred Scripture. Offer this time for the intention of those considering Consecrated Life. 3.Pray in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament for the intention of vocations to the Consecrated Life. 4.At grace before meals, add the following: “We ask, O Lord, that you let more men and women hear the call to serve you as a priest, brother or sister. Amen.� 5.At supper some night, tell family members about a religious who has meant something to you, perhaps someone you met in school, in the hospital, in the parish or elsewhere.
Building a Vocation Culture
How to Build a Vocation Culture • To create an atmosphere or vocation culture, The Third Continental Congress on Vocations in North America (2002), suggested five actions which comprise its Plan: – To Pray: to be holy, to be converted, to worship – To Evangelize: to teach, to form, to catechize – To Experience: worship, community, service, witness – To Mentor: to accompany, to guide, to model – To Invite: to discern, to choose, to commit Compliments of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
How to Build a Vocation Culture • The resources here will help you implement these actions. These are some ways in which youth directors can collaborate in building a vocation culture: – When planning programs for youth, find opportunities to vitalize and nurture their faith and spiritual renewal. – Live with passion and conviction your vocation to proclaim the Gospel inviting young people to discern their own call. – Invite religious and priests to be present in youth activities and program. Compliments of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
Best Practices for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life for Campus Ministries •
Eucharistic Adoration – Make it available often, daily if possible – Preach on the true Presence
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Confession – Creates an awareness of sin, and a need for mercy – Leads students to strive for greater conversion
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Spiritual Direction – Teaches them the importance of daily prayer – Holds them accountable for prayer – Instills in them a fundamental call to holiness
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Pilgrimage/Retreat/Conference – ‘jump starts’ the spiritual life – Takes them out of their normal surroundings to encounter God
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Service Projects Seminary Visits/Nun runs – or bring Seminarians and young Sisters to visit the Campus Compliments of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
Best Practices for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life • Discernment Groups – Helps each student to realize they are called specifically by God – Groups let them know they are not alone and that others can help them on their journey
• Cultivating Christ-centered friendships – Teaches them how to have fun in a holy and wholesome way
• Daily presence of priests or sisters – Students need to see priests or sisters at prayer on a daily basis – They also need to interact with them on a daily basis
• Catechetical Formation – This could be number one but young Catholics generally do not know their faith – Introducing them to the riches of the intellectual patrimony of the Church opens them to a deeper understanding of God and their role in God’s plan
Compliments of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
USCCB Website (www.usccb.org)
Imagine Sisters
Light of Love
USCCB
“Living a Consecrated Life”
Catholic Religious Life Dictionary
The Vocation to the Priesthood
Fishers of Men
To Be A Priest
Fr. Robert Barron “How Should I Discern the Priesthood?
The End