On Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Church of the Holy Family, we gathered around the Altar for Mass and afterward for a celebratory meal to honor the women and men Religious in our Diocese who this year are reaching anniversary milestones in Religious life – silver (25 years), golden (50 years) and diamond (60 years).
This annual celebration of Religious life was introduced by Pope Saint John Paul II and is associated with the Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord, Feb. 2, the day on which Joseph and Mary consecrated Jesus in the Temple and when candles are blessed, Candlemas Day. Consecrated Religious are called to be the Light of Christ in a much-darkened world.
On my behalf and on behalf of the Church, that is, the People of God whom they have served and continue to serve, I thanked each of the Jubilarians for the life they have lived. A Religious life is lived for God, for the Religious community and for others. Twenty-five, 50, 60 years ago, each Jubilarian heard a call from God, and each one courageously responded to that call, left home and entered a Religious community. An inner stirring or attraction from God was felt and followed.
Preparation for Religious life includes studying the charism of the founder or foundress of the Religious Institute and learning how to live the Evangelical Counsels (Vows) of poverty, chastity and obedience. Some Religious take a fourth vow particular to their Religious Institute. Academic preparation for ministry followed. When that initial formation was completed and first profession of vows were taken, they were sent to make a difference in the world by giving witness to Jesus Christ as a consecrated Religious.
In the Gospel proclaimed at the Jubilee Mass (Luke 9:23-26), Jesus instructed His followers to take up the Cross. Carrying a cross would have been a familiar sight to those who heard the Lord’s mandate. They witnessed the Roman practice of crucifixion in which a condemned person often carried a cross to the place of crucifixion.
Saint Luke gives a particular emphasis to carrying the Cross. It is to be done “daily.” Take up the cross “daily.” Most of us, if not all, do not have to seek a cross. It finds us. It is woven into the fabrics of everyday life and discipleship. In Religious life, the Cross is present in personal sacrificing or giving up that flows from observing the Vows. It is also present in the surrendering of self in ministry for others and in living in community.
Thomas à Kempis in his classic commentary on the spiritual life, “The Imitation of Christ,” wrote these inspiring words about the Cross: “Take up your Cross and follow Jesus; and you will go into life that has no end. In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection; in the Cross is heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is spiritual joy; in the Cross is supreme virtue; in the Cross is perfect holiness.”
These are powerful words and powerful insights into the potential that an experience of the Cross can be for each Christian.
Religious life is a gift to the Church. The gift is the life of the one who is consecrated. God chooses a consecrated Religious. God chooses her or him. At our Mass and lunch, we celebrated the generous response of our Jubilarians to God’s choice and their inspiring and faithful witness of 25, 50 and 60 years of consecrated life.
As we recognized and celebrated the Jubilarians, we also recognize and thank all the Religious in our Diocese for their presence among us and their much-needed witness to the Lord. They are a blessing for the Church. The life of consecrated Religious points beyond the limitations of human life to eternal life. They remind us of the universal call to holiness of each baptized person. Many of us remember with fondness and gratitude the Religious who in the past touched our lives.
Religious life is an option for the young to consider. It is a rewarding, happy life. It takes courage to respond to God’s call. Anyone who feels that attraction should speak with a Religious, who will gladly accompany him or her as they discern the Religious life.
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden