By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
The World Day of Consecrated Life was marked Feb. 2, 2023 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon with a celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
Beginning with an hour of adoration to pray for women and men in consecrated life and for vocations, the event included Mass with Bishop Mark Hagemoen.
Saint John Paul II instituted the day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life in 1997, setting the celebration on The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. The Feb. 2 celebration is also known as Candlemas; a day on which candles are traditionally 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 in our world.
During the Feb. 2 celebration, those assembled held lit candles blessed by Bishop Hagemoen. As well, the religious and consecrated women present at the Mass stood to renew their commitment, affirming their resolution to persevere in consecrated life, to follow Christ in th spirit of the Gospel, and to be “a faithful witness to God’s love and a convincing sign of the Kingdom of Heaven.”
In his homily Bishop Hagemoen reflected on how consecrated women and men are called to be “transfigured” as a “concrete example and experience of what it means to follow Christ” and of “God’s consistent and unwavering love for all people.”
Addressing all those consecrated religious women and men that have served in the diocese and beyond, he expressed his gratitude for their call and their witness: “Thank you, thank you, thankyou.”
The celebration of Mass was also live-streamed, and was followed by a lunch in the cathedral hall.
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