It has been another exciting week with surprises along the way. God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good! Although several wonderful things happened this week, I’ll share with you one especially exciting thing for me, as well as all the other Consecrated Women and Men around the world, World Day of Consecrated Life. I want to share with you part of an article I wrote for St. Pius X parish in Plainview, NY, by invitation of their pastor, Fr. Valentine Rebello. I was also invited to renew my vows in honor of this special day. The celebrant of the Mass was my friend and former pastor, Fr. Tom Haggerty. For those unfamiliar with the celebration, here is some info to reflect on.
Each of us lives a life consecrated to God, for He has created us to become the best versions of ourselves, no matter what path our life’s journey takes us on. It is fitting that each year, on February 2nd, the Church celebrates the World Day of Consecrated Life on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. On this day, Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple, offering Him completely to God.
What is the World Day of Consecrated Life? It is a day established in 1997 by Pope Saint John Paul II on which we are called to pray for and celebrate the Women and Men who have fully dedicated themselves to serving God through their life’s work. We do this by observing the vows of Poverty – trusting God as our true treasure. Chastity – loving with an undivided heart and Obedience – listening for God’s will in freedom. Know that this is a distinct gift within the Body of Christ, alongside marriage, single life, and ordained ministry.
Now that you know a little about this special day, back in the 1950’s, I had no idea about the whole picture of Consecrated Life. All I knew was that I wanted to be a Sister. I watched how the Sisters I had in school (Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth) served our community in Brooklyn, from taking care of the things in the Church to helping families in need, giving piano lessons, and, of course, running the school, St. Cyril and Methodius School in Greenpoint. As a sixth-grade student and young girl of the 50’s, I wanted ‘more’ than the opportunities available to me at the time – being a mother, a nurse, or a secretary. There wasn’t anything wrong with those professions, but again, I wanted more, and I thought life as a Sister would offer that to me. I guess that was the first sign of feeling God’s invitation into a deeper relationship with Him.
Let me tell you, I did not know what I was in for. As I entered religious life at age 15, I faced many challenges, but I remained persistent. I began to liken myself to the Apostles when they were called by Jesus. They would be considered great because they were connected to Jesus, and I would be able to do great things with Him as a Sister. Just like the Apostles, I didn’t know the whole story, but I grew with experience, guidance, spiritual direction, and wonderful role models. The reason I entered consecrated life was not the reason I stayed. I came to love the life and charism of the Sisters, as the apostles came to fall in love with Jesus and His message.
Sixty-Three years of Consecrated life has taught me that “Consecrated life is not about what is given up, but about what is given over—a life placed entirely in God’s hands, for the sake of love.” Together with so many other consecrated Women and Men, we hope to be Signs of God’s presence in a restless world; Witnesses of joy, even amid sacrifice, and Prophetic voices, reminding us that God alone is enough.
Consecrated life is a gift, and I have been gifted with the ability to use the gifts that God has blessed me with to help build up the kingdom of God wherever I am ministering. February 2nd was that special day to remember, pray for, and celebrate the Women and Men you may have known and experienced in your life’s journey. It might be a great time this week to let them know you appreciate them. Have you thought about how you are living out YOUR consecrated life? No matter the path, we need to be the best version of who God created us to be. Look for and enjoy the surprises this week.
Till next week,
Sister Theresita Donach CSFN
P.S. I was also able to celebrate the day with Fr. James Reiss and our Episcopalian sisters and brothers on Saturday. What a blessed week.
