World Day for Consecrated Life

“What would the Church be without religious sisters and consecrated laywomen? The Church cannot be understood without them.”
~Pope Francis, February 2022

February 2 is the World Day for Consecrated Life, instituted in 1997 by Pope Saint John Paul II. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord which is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.

WATCH: School Sisters of Notre Dame celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life

In a video message 25 years later, Pope Francis offered his prayer intention for the month of February 2022, which he dedicated to religious and consecrated women.

The Pope encouraged all consecrated women to discern how best they can respond to the challenges facing humanity. “I exhort them to keep working and to have an impact with the poor, with the marginalized, with all those who are enslaved by traffickers,” he said.

“Thank you,” Pope Francis told the Church’s consecrated women,” for what you are, for what you do, and for how you do it.”

The Pope then urged all Catholics to pray for the women who have consecrated their lives to God, and to express their appreciation for their courage and mission.

Please pray for the School Sisters of Notre Dame and all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life and be sure to thank them today. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.

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