It’s No Coincidence the World Day for Consecrated Life shares a Feast Day
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There’s a lot of feasts taking place this Sunday. Since 1997, February 2nd has been the World Day of Consecrated Life. It’s also the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple.
The USCCB’s website speaks about the two feast days, and why they don’t overshadow one another!
“Pope John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. The celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast 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. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.”
In his homily on the Feast of the Presentation, February 2, 1622, Francis de Sales preached about Christ’s nature:
“This mystery is admirably represented by the candles which we carry today.
The fire, which is the first and most excellent element in the candle, is a symbol of the Divinity. The other two elements of the candle, the wick and the wax, symbolize the soul and body of Our Lord.
Now the Divine Nature is so united and joined to the human nature and they form such a union and communion that God became man…”
To prepare for Sunday’s chat, please read our article, “World Day for Consecrated Life Feb 2.”
In our Living Jesus Chat Room this Sunday, we will discuss these points:
- Why do you think Bl. John Paul II started the World Day for Consecrated Life? How can our prayers help the religious?
- The mystery of the incarnation is celebrated on the Feast of the Annunciation, and again on Christmas. Would the incarnation still have meaning, however, apart from Christ’s passion and resurrection?
- For Salvation, it was necessary that Christ be fully human and fully divine. However, Christ chose to follow the Jewish rules and customs out of humility and obedience. What can we learn from this?
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