Despite the snowstorm of Sunday and Monday February 2nd we MSCs were able to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on Tuesday 2/3/2015 at Cabrini House of Formation and Discernment, West Park, New York. There were 13 congregations in attendance, all of whom participated and received the nourishment from two tables – the table of the Liturgy and the table of fellowship. There was truly a joyful noise as we delighted in the Lord and one another.
It was wonderful to have so many charisms under one roof, united as one community of faith and love.
A representative of each Institute brought a symbol of her/his congregation and gave a brief explanation of the symbol. The charisms represented were Capuchin Franciscans, Order of Friars Minors, Franciscan Felicians, Allegheny Franciscan, Redemptorist Fathers, Redemptoristines, Christian Brothers, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Cabrini), Marist Brothers, Holy Cross Brothers (Anglican), Benedictine Sisters and Carmelite Sisters. Also in attendance, Fr. Thomas Lutz a Diocesan priest living the Benedictine Rule and the musician Mr. David Kwiecinski.
Pope Francis has given three challenging objectives for this great year. He suggests that we look to the past with gratitude while at the same time maturing and developing, giving rise to new ways of expressing our charisms. Our charisms have been like trees that stretch out their branches so that the people of God can rest in them.
Second objective is to live the present with passion always challenged by the gospel that is demanding radically and sincerely.
The third objective that Pope Francis gives is to embrace the future with hope. We are called to live this virtue that stems from faith. The Lord is faithful in telling us, “Be not afraid for I am with you”.
Filled with joy and zeal we are able to go forth and wake up the world “for where there are Religious-there is joy”.