The Year of Consecrated Life is not over until the Celebration of the World Day of Consecrated Life on February 2, 2016. However, Bishop David Ricken from the Diocese of Green Bay desired to pray a special Solemn Vespers on the First Sunday of Advent to celebrate the conclusion of this year with the many religious whose congregations were founded in this area of Wisconsin, as well as those who currently serve here.
Before the evening prayer, Precious Blood Sister Karen Elliott spoke on Pope Francis’ invitation to consecrated men and women to ‘wake up the world’ this Year of Consecrated Life. Presenting in the Bishop Wycislo Room at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Sister Karen encouraged us to reflect on our hands and the service we give as community to the people of God. St. Therese’s Prayer (Christ Has no body now but yours…) was thoughtfully-weaved through her motivational words.
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, forever and ever. Amen.
