WORLD CONSECRATED LIFE DAY

FEBRUARY 2

On the first Consecrated Life Day in 1977, John Paul II presented the three aims of this day.

In the first place, it answers the intimate need to praise the Lord more solemnly and to thank him for the great gift of consecrated life, which enriches and gladdens the Christian community by the multiplicity of its charisms and by the edifying fruits of so many lives totally given to the cause of the Kingdom.

In the second place, this day is intended to promote a knowledge of and esteem for the consecrated life by the entire People of God.

The third reason regards consecrated persons directly. They are invited to celebrate together solemnly the marvels which the Lord has accomplished in them, to discover by a more illumined faith the rays of divine beauty spread by the Spirit in their way of life, and to acquire a more vivid consciousness of their irreplaceable mission in the Church and in the world.

Why does this day take place on February 2^nd?

Consecrated life day is celebrated on the feast day of the Lord’s presentation at the temple. Jesus’ presentation at the temple, whereby he was consecrated according to the ritual prescribed at that time for all first-born sons, announced Jesus’ gift made out of love for God and for men and his supreme offering on the Cross. This day is therefore of particular importance to every consecrated person who, inspired by the awesome gift of Christ, aspires to also give his/her life and to abandon all in order to walk in Christ’s footsteps. This year, this day, will be especially important to all the Secular Institutes that are celebrating their sixtieth anniversary.