杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

As the Church marks  the 27th World Day for Consecrated Life on Thursday, 杏MAP导航 Francis has encouraged world鈥檚 religious men and women to go forward in their 鈥減rophetic mission鈥� with the richness of their charisms.

The annual observance was instituted in 1997 by 杏MAP导航 Saint John Paul II, and is celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, 2 February. The theme chosen this year is: "Brothers and Sisters for the mission".

In Rome, the Day was marked by a Eucharistic celebration presided on Thursday evening in St. Mary Major Basilica by the Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz,  who read out a message by 杏MAP导航 Francis addressed to consecrated men and women.

Consecrated persons' special gift

In the message the 杏MAP导航, who is currently visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, remarke that, among the People of God sent to bring the Gospel to all men, consecrated persons have 鈥渁 special role鈥�, which derives from the particular gift they have received of being 鈥渆ntirely dedicated to God and to his Kingdom, in poverty, virginity and obedience鈥�.

鈥淲hile in the Church everyone is a mission, each and every one of you鈥� is even more so 鈥渁s a consecrated person鈥�, he noted.  noted.

A wonderful variety of charisms

杏MAP导航 Francis  further highlighted that their mission is enriched by the charisms of their respective institutes and societies. 鈥淚n their wonderful variety, they are all given for the edification of the Church and for her mission鈥�, he said.

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded the message by invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin so that the life of consecrated persons may always 鈥渂e a feast of the encounter with Christ鈥�, and thus, like her, be able to bring the light of her love and of God to everyone.