World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life
The World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is celebrated by the Catholic Church on Thursday, February 2, 2023, and parishes are invited to commemorate the day on the following weekend.
On this day, please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life and be sure to thank them for having committed their lives to Christ. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation.
Instituted by St. Pope John Paul II in 1997, the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day, which commemorates, through the blessing and lighting of candles, that Christ is the light of the world. Those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
Celebration in the Diocese of Portland
A celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life will be held in the chapel of St. Mary's Residences, 100 Campus Avenue in Lewiston, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on February 2. During the celebration, women religious will give witness talks about their lives and vocations. Bishop Robert Deeley will then celebrate Mass at 11 a.m., with lunch and a reception to follow.
The celebration is being jointly presented by Prince of Peace Parish and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston.
Register to attend here or call Elizabeth Keene, vice president for Mission Integration at St. Mary's, at 207-777-8805, or emailing Elizabeth at ekeene@covh.org. For those who cannot attend in person, the witness talks and Mass will also be livestreamed.
A Word with Mercy for the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life
Young adults are invited to join Sister Kelly and Sister Jenny from the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas as they share reflections for the Day of Consecrated Life on February 2 at 10:30 a.m. Watch it live or later on the Sisters of Mercy Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/MercySisters/
Prayer for Consecrated Life
God, throughout the ages you have called women and men to pursue lives of perfect charity through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
We give you thanks for these courageous witnesses of Faith and models of inspiration. Their pursuit of holy lives teaches us to make a more perfect offering of ourselves to you.
Continue to enrich your Church by calling forth sons and daughters who, having found the pearl of great price, treasure the Kingdom of Heaven above all things.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Modified from the Prayer for the Year of Consecrated Life)
Prayers of the Faithful
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. We pray to the Lord....
Read more prayers of the faithful.
Stories of Service
- Felician Sisters - Founders of St. Joseph Healthcare in Bangor
- Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist - Serving at Saint Dominic Academy and Prince of Peace Parish
- Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec - Esther Residence (Assisting women leaving incarceration)
- Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec - CourageLIVES, assisting survivors of human trafficking.
- Little Franciscans of Mary - Sister Carol Martin, currently at St. Michael Parish in Augusta, recently
celebrated 50 years of service.
- Sisters of Charity of Saint-Hyacinthe - Founders of St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston
- Sisters of Ste. Chrétienne - Sister Bernadette Gautreau shares her experiences serving the Cree people of Alberta, Canada, for 50 years.
- Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Focus on Haiti
- Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon - Recalling their years of service n education and healthcare in Jackman
