Consecrated Life: From Ordinary to Extraordinary

By Sr Lini Sheeje MSC –

“What would become of the world if there were no religious?” St Teresa rightly asked herself (Autobiography, ch. 32, n. 11). And the world continues to ask this question “What would become of the world if there were no consecrated men/women?” “We are so thankful to you for all the service that you do for this social cause. A lot of appreciation as well as a lot more applauses you actually deserve, because the very work you actually doing for the welfare of our society. Not everyone has good motive these days. We are really thankful for your help in our lives”, utters 14 years old Vinay Kumar from Kolar Dt, Karnataka who lost his father during the second wave of COVID 19 Pandemic. They all of them are admitted in good English Medium Schools by Samagra Education Initiative under Dream India Network by Fr Edward Thomas SDB, to fulfil their dreams.

World Day for Consecrated Life

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day for women and men in consecrated life. This global celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. The World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated on the feast which commemorates the presentation which Mary and Joseph made of Jesus in the temple “to present him to the Lord” (Lk 2:22). This Gospel scene reveals the mystery of Jesus, the One consecrated by the Father, come into the world to carry out his will faithfully (cf. Heb 10:5-7). Simeon points to Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32) and by a prophetic word foretells the supreme offering of Jesus to the Father and his final victory (Lk 2:32-35).

This Feast is also known as Candle-mas 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. World Day for Consecrated Life is an opportunity to celebrate the gift of consecrated life and pray for men and women living a consecrated vocation with the global Catholic Church. Consecrated religious have said ‘Yes’ to the Lord who called them and lay their lives in service to their brothers and sisters by being a servant.

Consecrated Life – A Gift

The consecrated life is a gift which the Father has given to the church by means of the Spirit so that, in faithfulness to the Gospel, the most characteristic traits of the life of his Son Jesus, the chaste, poor and obedient one (cf. Mt. 8:20; Phil. 2:8), and the unfathomable riches of his mystery (cf. Eph. 3:8), might be present in the world and might draw everyone toward the kingdom of God

Consecrated Person – A Servant

“To be a religious priest is to be a servant. Being a servant religious priest gives me tremendous joy and satisfaction; the joy of Jesus’ accompaniment and the satisfaction of serving thousands of His lost sheep. I praise and thank Father God for His unconditional love and constant Divine Providence showering in His ministry for the lost through this servant. He called and anointed me to redeem the lost, least and the last. Every soul behind prison walls needs to be saved. Let our consecrated life be of service to the broken world”, says Fr Francis Kodiyan MCBS, cofounder and national coordinator of Prison Ministry India.

Consecrated Life – A Life of Grace

Each consecrated man/woman has inspirational vocation story to tell us. Thousands of volumes can be released of God’s faithfulness and accompaniment in our lives. God who called us, God who redeemed us and the God who sanctified us have done wonders through each one of us in this broken world. None of us are perfect beings. God has called these vulnerable, sinful beings to serve in His vineyard. We have so many brilliant ones, talented, capable ones in the world. But, why did God choose us? When I was doing my schooling, so many of my friends were brilliant and too smart! But why did God choose me? God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called. Together with St Paul, on this world-day for consecrated life we acclaim God’s words, “His grace is sufficient for us”.

Consecrated Life – Ordinary to Extraordinary

“The Lord has chosen and consecrated ordinary men and women to be His extraordinary instruments of love, compassion and tenderness to a world hungry and starving for the same. They see the face of our loving, merciful and broken body of Jesus in every human misery. Amidst all the evil that surrounds us, God’s victorious, empowering and majesty will overpower through the hands and hearts of our religious, to make the world a better place for you and me. “Thank you, dear fathers and sisters, for offering your lives for the love of God and for each of us! We uphold you in our hearts and prayers”, marks Alzira Rayan from Our Lady of Vailankanni Parish, Yelahanka, Bangalore.

Consecrated Persons – Our Friends

“My personal experience is that many anointed priests and nuns have stood as angels in times of difficulties, such as, when a loved one passes away in the family and it might take years to get over it! They stand beside you as family friends with a good listening ear and in silence provide tremendous spiritual and emotional support. They make themselves available when you need someone to talk to and seek that comfort!  It is at that time I have understood that Christ uses these human angels on earth to ease that pain and you find a direction in your own life!” observes Anne Menezes from Dubai

Consecrated Life – A Journey with God

In this way the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is an eloquent icon of the total offering of one’s life for all those who are called to show forth in the Church and in the world, by means of the evangelical counsels “the characteristic features of Jesus — the chaste, poor and obedient one” (VC 1). Mary is associated with the presentation of Christ. Our Blessed Mother carried Jesus to the temple and offered to the Father and it is same Mother who continues to offer her sons and daughters to our Heavenly Father as a pleasing offering. God to whom we have offered ourselves is journeying with us, accompanying us and holding us closer to His heart. He has blessed each of us with much more than we can deserve and many opportunities in our life.

Consecrated Life – A Being and Doing

“Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” (Mark 3:13-15) and this is the core of our Consecrated Life. He called whom He wanted! How blessed to know that we are wanted by Him. He had chosen and consecrated us to be with Him and to be sent out. Our way of life centered on our God who came down to heal the sick, to preach the Good News to the Poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, to embrace sinners and to save the lost. Our consecrated life is being with our redeemer and to do His will on earth as our Blessed Mother tells us, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).

Consecrated Life – A Thanksgiving

Today, when I kneel before Him, I have nothing else to offer except the tears of gratitude. When God called Jeremiah he said, “I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth” (Jer 1:6). But the Creator, a faithful God assured him of His accompaniment and He would put His own words into His mouth and would make him a prophet to the nations. It’s the same God who consecrated us and makes these tiny beings to be heard and seen in this large world. “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” Psalm 8:4

Consecrated Life – A Blessing

“Consecrated life means completely surrendering oneself to the will of God, to do what He wants us to do and He guides us in our journey. I’m grateful to Him for He has blessed me to work not only for the diocese, but for the region, country and the whole world. I’m grateful that he had consecrated me to bring relief to the rejected and to render my service for the development and growth of the Church and society”, states Emeritus Bishop Peter Remigius, Kottar Diocese.

Consecrated Life – Joy Found in Community Living

“I consecrated myself to God to serve Him through a simple life and to spread His message wherever I am placed. My joy is found in living in a community of love and reconciliation”, says Sr Rose Kakanatt from Sisters of St Joseph of Lyon, Kerala.

Consecrated Life – A Sacrifice

“There is a tremendous joy and challenge in being a person for others – a sense of consecrated-ness keeps me joyful. There is also pain and a task in being consecrated person as we see Indian consecrated life getting highly institutionalized. Joy and pain mark my life”, mentions Brother Paul Raj SG, former Principal, Vidya Deep College, Bangalore. No institutional set-up could contain Jesus; He walked miles after miles and reached out to the needy, the vulnerable and marginalized. A consecrated life is nothing, but sacrifice; to sacrifice to the Lord who sacrificed Himself on the Cross. Consecrated life is vision with mission. It is a way of life given to the missionaries with vision.

Saving a Child

I would like to share my experience from working in Child-line. The little girl wept bitterly as she narrated the happenings of the past 3 days. Shanthi (name changed) had run away from home following some misunderstandings with her mother. She came to Bangalore Railway Station, with the intent of going to her friend’s place in New Delhi. But when she reached the Station, the train to New Delhi had already left. She decided to wait in the waiting room, for the next train to arrive. As she waited there, a seemingly kind man, the father of 3 kids approached her, showed sympathy, and with ulterior motives, managed to take her to a lodge. There the man sexually abused her, brutally raped her, and then brought her back to the railway waiting room.

What happened next?

It was at this point, late in the evening, that we at the Childline Help received a call on 1098. We rushed to the spot and rescued the girl, placing her safely with the BOSCO rescue booth in the station. We cornered the man, speaking to him pleasantly until the police came. He was shocked and surprised, and in horrible anger as he blurted out to me, “Sister, the next time I happen to see you, you will breathe your last in my hands!”

Consecrated Life – A Call to be a Courageous Warriors

This incident robbed me of my sleep that night. I decided to do something to reach out to more such Shanthis and this is the call of every consecrated person whose nights were robbed with one or other incidents. We thank all the courageous warriors of these consecrated men and women who toiled day and night in God’s vineyard and made a difference. On this day, let us gratefully recall all our consecrated persons who have toiled yesterday, let us thank all who are toiling today and praise God for all who will be toiling tomorrow in His vineyard.  It’s their Yes which made the world a better place. It’s their dedication gave light and hope to the ones lived in darkness and who had lost hope in their lives. It’s their ‘Amen’ to the Redeemer up-lifted many who had fallen in their lives. It’s their joyful service which brought joy in the face of downtrodden and rejected. We love God wholeheartedly which moves us to love His people, to embrace them and lift them.

Count Your Blessings

On this day, it’s good to recollect the path that we have journeyed. Is there anything that bothers us? Are we not the blessed ones? We are blessed that we need not worry about our food and clothing. How much do we appreciate our day-today’s blessing? Are we concerned about the silly comments that we hear on our journey? God has given a great task to carry His people on our shoulders. But what are we carrying? Are we carrying our past hurtful and hateful feelings and comments?  When we want to carry these painful pasts let us remember our parents who toil in the scorching sun as farmers, fishermen, construction workers, painters, daily wage labourers, watchmen and so on. We are not the sons/daughter of great business men or millionaire. God called us from the humble backgrounds to serve humbly in His vineyard. Ancient vocations to consecrated life were from royal families who denounced everything for the sake of God whom they found as everything. What are we denouncing today?

Papal Homily – 25th World Day for Consecrated Life

In 2021, in his Papal Homily for the 25th World Day for Consecrated Life, Pope Francis said; “Some people are masters of complaining, doctors of complaining, they are very good at complaining! No, complaining imprisons us: “the world no longer listens to us” – how often do we hear that – or “we have no more vocations, so we have to close the house”, or “these are not easy times”. The God who called us is faithful and He knows to continue what He had begun. Let us embrace all that the life offers us as our Lord Jesus embraced it. We have no time to complain and sit, the world needs us; the broken humanity needs us. We have no time to mourn over our past, we have much more to do in the present and future.

 Festal Blessings

Our religious life doesn’t offer bed of roses; we too need to cross thorns and thistles. But the firm foundation is “If God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31). We will come across the people who would appreciate us and people who would criticize us. We will encounter on our journey the people who would lift us and people who would throw us down. We will come across the people who would make us to cry and people who would wipe our tears. And in all these, God is with us! No human being had called us to this way of life, but it is God who called us to be His own. ‘I do not what my future holds, but I know who holds’ is my motto and this gives me tremendous joy in all walks of my life.

“Here I am Lord! It is I Lord! I’ve heard you calling in the night! I’ll go Lord, if you lead me, and I’ll hold your people in my heart” is the response we said when God consecrated us and let us continue to respond as millions of consecrated men/women showed the way and journeyed the path that we are journeying today. Together with St Paul, let us proclaim “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). Let us pray for the grace of perseverance and more vocations for this life of grace! Dear parents, we request to be generous to the Lord who blessed you! Dear children and youth, we request you to be open to the Lord who created you! Festal Blessings of the World Day of Consecration!

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Sr Lini Sheeja MSC, belongs to the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. She worked as the team member of Child-line, BOSCO Bangalore. She served as the Chief-Editor for Prison Voice, a national monthly magazine and she authored a book named, Prison Ministry: The Dreamers’ Mission in which she invites the dreamers to join hands together to do wonders for the broken humanity.