Pope Benedict XVI Extolls Virtues of Consecrated Life
(03 Feb 09 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the world’s consecrated men and women
to model themselves on the missionary zeal and spiritual intensity of St. Paul the
Apostle, as well as the contemplative excellence of the Virgin Mary on Monday evening.
We have this report…
Radical discipleship and total devotion to the mission
of Christ’s Church, coupled with profound and intense care for the interior life:
Pope Benedict XVI held these up as the these are the hallmarks of the Consecrated
Life on Monday evening in St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands of men and women religious
gathered to mark the 13th World Day for Consecrated Life.
The Day
for Consecrated Life has been celebrated for nearly a decaded and a half on the Feast
of the Presentation of the Lord, the final high point of the season in the liturgical
life of the Church that begins in Advent and carries us through Christmas, the Feast
of the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord.
The Feast of the Presentation
marks the special consecration of the Lord Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem, in fulfilment
of the Jewish Law and presaging his unique role as priest and victim in salvation
history.
On Monday, after Mass celebrated by the Prefect of the Congregation
for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Cardinal Marc
Rodé, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a homily to the religious men and women gathered
in St. Peter’s, speaking of the special role consecrated men and women have in and
for the Church.
He encouraged the men and women religious to look on the Virgin
Mary, the one who is “Consecrated” par excellence.
May she continue to be
the Mother who accompanies and sustains us, sons and daughters of God, her sons and
daughters, in the rendering of generous service to God and to the brethren.