Fr Christopher Foeckler, MJ • St Josaphat Formation Center • Phoenix, AZ

The Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple on February 2nd has been celebrated as the World Day of Consecrated Life since 1997 when St. Pope John Paul II chose it for three reasons. First, “it answers the need to thank the Lord for the great gift of consecrated life, which enriches and gladdens the Christian community by the multiplicity of its charisms and by the edifying fruits of so many lives totally given to the cause of the Kingdom.” Secondly, this day is intended to promote knowledge of and esteem for the consecrated life by the entire People of God whereas, “The life of special consecration, in its many forms, is thus at the service of the baptismal consecration of all the faithful. In contemplating the gift of consecrated life, the Church contemplates her own intimate vocation of belonging only to her Lord, desirous of being in his eyes ‘without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish’ (Eph 5:27).” Third, it is so the consecrated persons themselves can “celebrate the marvels which the Lord has accomplished in them” and thereby “acquire a more vivid consciousness of their irreplaceable mission in the Church and in the world.”

St. Pope John Paul II explained that, “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’ (Lk 2:22).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.’” (Homily on February 2, 1997)

Pope Francis has extended the purpose of the ‘World Day of Consecrated Life’ for our prayer, reflection and motivation for a whole year as the Year of Consecrated Life. Let us give thanks for God for this great gift to the Church.

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