By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
The witness and contribution of consecrated women and men in our world amounts to “more than gold” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen during a diocesan celebration of the World Day of Consecrated Life held Feb. 2 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, hearkening back to the theme of the chaplains serving at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver who wanted to inspire “the radical hospitality of Christ” during that major event.
“As people of faith we know that human excellence finds its source and meaning in the life and mission of Christ our Saviour and the always-present Holy Spirit who awakens faith and enlivens us to ultimate purposes, and in the Father who holds all creation and humanity together in Himself as he draws us to our ultimate future.”
Going for excellence is a feature of the Catholic tradition – intellectually, spiritually, and in all ways of work and service, charitable and apostolic works, Hagemoen said, describing those living consecrated life as “examples of excellence and heroes for our world.”
“We thank you for your life of witness, service and love… indeed your witness is ‘more than gold’,” said the bishop.
Consecrated men and women attending the diocesan celebration renew their commitment. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Hagemoen expressed thanksgiving for the many women and men religious in the diocese serving as witnesses of consecrated life, including many retired religious who have served generously in many spiritual and social ministries as pastoral workers, educators, health care providers and more. He also highlighted those consecrated religious who live a cloistered life in prayer.
Young people continue to answer God’s call to join in consecrated life, he noted. “We join with them in prayer as they discern their vocation.”
The World Day of Consecrated Life has been celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Feb. 2, since St. Pope John Paul II established the day of prayer in 1997 for women and men in consecrated life. The feast has also traditionally been known as Candlemas, as candles are often blessed during the celebration — as they were during the diocesan celebration.
Gathered around the baptismal font, consecrated religious women and men from around the diocese were joined by those attending the celebration to pray for and support them. All held up their candles as the bishop prayed a prayer of blessing.
Later in the celebration, the consecrated women and men who were present also held their lit candles as they renewed their commitment to consecrated religious life.
“Candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world, and so too those in consecrated life are called to reflect and be the light of Christ to all peoples,” Hagemoen said.
Crystal Hampson (left) and Marcos Sellanes (centre) provided testimony about their call and commitment to serving Christ in consecrated life. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
The diocesan celebration also included words of welcome from Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Sisters, the most recent missionary community of consecrated sisters to arrive in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon to provide service and witness.
As well, testimony about the joys and blessings of consecrated life were provided by three speakers: Marcos Sellanes of La Famille Myriam, Beth’lehem of Regina; Crystal Hampson of Saskatoon, who was consecrated to life as a virgin living in the world in June; and Sr. April Mireau, PM, who made a perpetual profession of vows as a Sister of the Presentation of Mary in June.
Sr. April Mireau, PM, described her vocation journey and the great joy and freedom experienced in consecrated life. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Saskatoon)
Sr. Marlene Anne G. Aquino, Missionary Apostles of Christ in the Eucharist, led the choir, and readers during Mass were Sr. Sylvia Obrigewitsch, NDS, and Thomas Korol from Martensville, with the prayers of intercession led by Anne Mireau & Jérémie Cloutier.
Following Mass there was a time of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, adoration and benediction.
Live-streamed video:
Consecrated religious life in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon includes members of many orders, congregations , companies, and institutes, including:
- Ursulines of St. Angela’s Convent, Prelate
- Ursulines of Bruno
- Company of St. Ursula
- Sisters of Our Lady of Sion
- Sisters of Mission Service
- Les Filles de la Providence
- Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth
- Sisters of Presentation of Mary
- Sisters of Charity of Montreal (Grey Nuns)
- Fraternal Missionaries of Verbum Dei
- Sisters of Our Lady of the Cross
- Sisters of Notre Dame D’Auvergne
- Missionary Apostles of Christ in the Eucharist
- Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity
- Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception
- Sisters of Loretto
- Sisters of St. Joseph
- Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate
- Order of St. Benedict at St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster
- Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
- Congregation of the Redeemer (Redemptorists)
- Vincentian Congregation
- Congregation of Saint Basil
- Society of African Missions
Representatives from Famille de Myriam Beth’léhem (from Regina) and Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (from Regina) were also in attendance. “Many other consecrated and religious sisters were connected online and supported the preparation of this Feast Day,” said Sr. Marta Piano.
Gallery of photos:
