In 1997, Pope John Paul II instituted 2 February as a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. In the US the celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to Sunday, 7 February 2010, in order to enable as much participation as possible.
Consecrated Life Sunday is an annual day of prayer for the men and women who have committed themselves to a consecrated life, be it a public life of active ministry or a hidden life of prayer in a monastery.
“The Church is greatly blessed by the many contributions of consecrated men and women, through their ministries in the areas of education, health care, spiritual formation, and social service,” said Sean Cardinal O’Malley OFM Cap., chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.
The U.S. bishops have named the promotion of vocations to priesthood and consecrated life as one of their five priorities. USCCB will launch a new website in April 2010 highlighting the gift of consecrated life to the Church.
Originally posted at http://www.osb.org
