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Candlemas and World Day for Consecrated Life
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February 1, 2023February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple and the celebration of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also called Candlemas and was at one time widely recognized as the official end to the Christmas season. It is called Candlemas because of the special blessing of candles which often takes place at the beginning of Mass on this day.
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II established this day as World Day for Consecrated Life. This is a fit celebration for Candlemas for as these candles are a symbol of the Light of Christ, they are a sign that a consecrated person fully gives himself or herself for the will of the Father to be accomplished. The hearts and lives of consecrated men and women must be light; they must shine the Light of Christ into the darkest places so that all might know the great love with which God loves each of us. (Credit: Presentation & Purification: Meditation on the World Day for Consecrated Life, Jennifer Ely, O.V., M.A.T.S.)
Below are just a few ways Catholics can support and promote vocations to consecrated life in their parishes and schools:- Participate in your parish vocation committee.
- Highlight stories of people who live the consecrated life, especially those who serve in the local parish or who entered from the parish.
- Promote awareness of the importance of discerning a possible religious vocation.
- Pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.
- Invite members of institutes of consecrated life from your parish to serve as ministers for the liturgy.
- Invite members of institutes of consecrated life to speak to adults/children in religious education programs or in school religion classes.