Feast of the Presentation

TODAY'S READINGS

World Day for Consecrated Life

Established in 1997 by the Late John Paul II. 

Excerpt from John Paul II:

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple 5. The World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated on the feast  which commemorates the presentation which Mary and Joseph made  of Jesus in the temple "to present him to the Lord" (Lk2:22). This Gospel scene reveals the mystery of Jesus, the One consecrated  by the Father, come into the world to carry out his will faithfully  (cf. Heb 10:5-7). Simeon points to Jesus as "a light for revelation to the  Gentiles" (Lk 2:32) and by a prophetic word foretells the supreme  offering of Jesus to the Father and his final victory (Lk 2:32-35). In this way the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is an eloquent icon  of the total offering of one's life for all those who are called to show  forth in the Church and in the world, by means of the evangelical  counsels "the characteristic features of Jesus -- the chaste, poor  and obedient one" (VC 1). Mary is associated with the presentation of Christ. The Virgin Mother who carries Jesus to the temple so that he can be  offered to the Father expresses very well the figure of the Church who  continues to offer her sons and daughters to the heavenly Father,  associating them with the one oblation of Christ, cause and model of  all consecration in the Church. For some years now, in the Church of Rome and in other dioceses,  the feast of 2 February has almost spontaneously brought numerous  members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic  Life around the Pope and diocesan pastors in order to demonstrate  together, in communion with the entire People of God, the gift and  commitment of their call, the variety of charisms of consecrated life,  and their special place within the community of believers. It is my wish that this experience be extended to the whole Church,  so that the celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life may  gather consecrated persons together with other faithful in order to  sing with the Virgin Mary the marvels which the Lord accomplishes  in so many of his sons and daughters, and to manifest to all that being a "people consecrated to himself" (cf. Deut 28:9) is the condition of all those who are redeemed by Christ. Visit the Carmel of Dijon in France Peace be with you! Rosemarie, ocds __________________