All Christians are consecrated to follow Jesus when they are baptized but there are some who are distinguished from the rest of us and dedicate their lives in a special state of consecrated life.
There are many forms of consecrated life including monastic life, consecrated virgins, hermits, members of secular institutes, and religious.
The consecrated religious are the majority and best-known of the consecrated. These nuns, sisters, brothers, and religious priests are consecrated by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience that they take.
Different religious have different charisms or styles in which they live their lives. Some focus on specific apostolates like healthcare or education while others are completely devoted to cloistered prayer.
Following Jesus in a more radical way:
The Consecrated Life, deeply rooted in the example and teaching of Christ the Lord, is a gift of God the Father to his Church through the Holy Spirit. By the profession of the evangelical counsels the characteristic features of Jesus — the chaste, poor and obedient one — are made constantly “visible” in the midst of the world and the eyes of the faithful are directed towards the mystery of the Kingdom of God already at work in history, even as it awaits its full realization in heaven.
Pope John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, March 25, 1996
Catching a glimpse of Heaven:
The state of consecrated life is thus one way of experiencing a “more intimate” consecration, rooted in Baptism and dedicated totally to God. In the consecrated life, Christ’s faithful, moved by the Holy Spirit, propose to follow Christ more nearly, to give themselves to God who is loved above all and, pursuing the perfection of charity in the service of the Kingdom, to signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 916
The 3 pillars of consecrated life:
Praying for us as they dedicate their lives to Jesus:
A new name for a new mission:
And Peter said, “Lo, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no man who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Luke 18: 28-30
Spouses, not widows:
Friar, Monk, or Jedi –
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
For victory in life, the goal is Heaven:
Share this page with friends and family to start a conversation about your faith.
Don’t miss a post. Learn more about the Catholic Church and strengthen your Catholic faith.
Find more Fiercely Catholic video issues here.
Subscribe here.
