How to mark February 2nd 2015 in this Year of Consecrated Life

Jan 23, 2015

Below are some suggestions of how to mark February 2nd 2015 in this Year of Consecrated Life

Parishes could:
--Include a notice about the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life in the Sunday newsletter; the particular charism of any religious communities or consecrated people in the parish could also be highlighted
--Include a prayer for consecrated men and women and for more vocations to all forms of consecrated life in the prayers of intercession at mass
--Hold a holy hour for vocations to the consecrated life
--Student chaplaincies could invite local consecrated men and women to meet with students or organise a visit to a convent or monastery

Teachers could:
--Invite a local consecrated person to speak to a class or an assembly * Join in the Church's celebrations by enjoying a film about inspiring religious
--Set a homework project where each student researches a religious community or a form of consecrated life of their choice
--Include prayers for consecrated men and women in the morning prayers or assembly Consecrated people could: * Invite people to refreshments and a talk about their life and particular charism
--Contact a local Catholic school and volunteer to speak to a class
--Ask their parish priest to put a notice about the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life in the newsletter
--Pray for discerners

Prayer for the Year of Consecrated Life

O God, throughout the ages you have called
women and men to pursue lives of perfect
charity through the evangelical counsels of
poverty, chastity, and obedience. During this
Year of Consecrated Life, we give you thanks
for these courageous witnesses of Faith and
models of inspiration. Their pursuit of holy
lives teaches us to make a more perfect offering
of ourselves to you. Continue to enrich
your Church by calling forth sons and daughters
who, having found the pearl of great
price, treasure the Kingdom of Heaven above
all things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.

Intercessions for the Year of Consecrated Life

For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray to the Lord…

For those who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be consecrated persons that they may experience the support of the Church as they continue their growth in holiness. We pray to the Lord…

We pray for those who are consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. May they always reveal the love of Christ to those they encounter and continue to enrich our world by their dedicated lives of prayer. Lord hear us...

We pray for all those who are discerning their vocation in life, particularly those whom the Lord is calling to consecrated life. May they be given the wisdom to hear God's call and the courage to respond generously. Lord hear us...

For those who are called to the consecrated life, may they be faithful witnesses of God’s love. May others be inspired to live their baptismal commitment by professing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. We pray to the Lord…

For all who actively support the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, that they may see the fruit of their efforts in a rich harvest of vocations. We pray to the Lord…

That the life and mission of the men and women in consecrated life be a means of sanctification for them and the building up the kingdom of God. We pray to the Lord…

For all pastors and parish priests of our diocese, that they will recognize and invite those men and women being called to be ordained to consecrated lives to answer the call. We pray to the Lord…