In 1997, Blessed Pope John Paul II instituted the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life to be celebrated on or near the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2). When Mary and Joseph presented the Christ child in the Temple, Simeon acknowledged Jesus as the “light of revelation to the Gentiles.” On this day therefore, the Church is invited to pray for all consecrated men and women who shine the light of Christ by their lives of service.
How do these consecrated men and women shine the light of Christ? Some serve in the missions in the poorest places in the world. Some serve the elderly and the sick in hospitals and nursing homes. Some spend their lives in the classroom teaching. Some dedicate their lives to the work of evangelization, spending their days preaching and giving retreats. Some live a cloistered life of prayer and sacrifice. The list goes on and on.
The great 16th century Spanish saint, Theresa of Avila, wrote “Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.” These faithful men and women who are consecrated to the Lord through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience are truly the hands and feet of Christ on earth, bringing his love and the good news of salvation to countless souls. It is easy for us to take for granted the important work that they do for the Church, but this World Day of Prayer is an opportunity for us to pray for them and to give thanks to God for their service.
