EACH YEAR, THE CATHOLIC Church celebrates World Day of Consecrated Life on the Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord. St. John Paul II established this celebration in 1997 and invited the Church to give thanks for the gift of consecrated life. It is also a day for consecrated and religious to renew their dedication to the Lord and give thanks for God’s faithfulness in their lives and the history of their institutes.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ANNUALLY CELEBRATES WORLD DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
In the Diocese of Orange, Bishop Kevin Vann celebrated Mass with over 100 consecrated men and women from various religious communities and forms of consecrated life at the Christ Cathedral on Feb. 1. He gave thanks for the faithful witness of those who gathered with him and honored religious sisters who were celebrating religious jubilees. The following religious sisters are celebrating significant jubilees of religious profession this year:
Celebrating 50 years: Sr. Joanna Rosciszewska, CSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange).
Celebrating 60 years: Sr. Sharon Dempsey, OP (Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose) and Sr. Diane Hejna, CSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange).
Celebrating 70 years: Sr. Hildegard Dittrich, CSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange), Sr. Judith Fergus, CSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange), Sr. Anne Hennessy, CSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange), Sr. Ellen O’Leary, CSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange), and Sr. Christine Schleich, CSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange).
Celebrating 80 years: Sr. Rose Marie Redding, CSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange).
JUBILARIANS FEATURED IN PHOTO: SR. JUDITH FERGUS, CSJ, SR. SHARON DEMPSEY, OP, SR. DIANE HEJNA, CSJ, SR. CHRISTINE SCHLEICH, CSJ, AND SR. HILDEGARD DITTRICH, CSJ. PHOTO BY JOAN PATTEN
The Poor Clare Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament also celebrated 60 years of their establishment in the Diocese of Orange.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Joan Patten, AO, Delegate for Consecrated Life, asked everyone to continue to pray for holy vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
After the Mass, the consecrated men and women gathered with the Bishop’s Office clergy and staff for dinner in the Cultural Center. Fr. Angelos Sebastian, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Orange, reflected on the Jubilee Year of Hope.
“The theme for this sacred year, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ is especially fitting for us as consecrated people,” he shared. “It is a theme that invites deep reflection, reminding us of our identity as a pilgrim people—baptized and consecrated to be bearers of hope.”
Fr. Angelos offered three points for reflection regarding the Jubilee Year.
REDISCOVERING THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES
The Jubilee Year offers us an opportunity to renew our awareness of God’s presence. As consecrated individuals, we constantly seek God in and around us, drawing strength and purpose from that awareness. However, our calling goes beyond seeking—we are also invited to become the presence of God for those searching for Him. As pilgrims of hope, let us not only recognize Christ’s presence within us but also reflect His love and light to the world. May our witness bring hope to those in need, allowing them to see Christ truly alive in us.
RENEWING OUR HOPE IN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 GOD’S PROMISES
St. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:5, “Hope does not disappoint us, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Our hope is firmly rooted in the living God, who remains faithful to His promises. As pilgrims, we are not mere wanderers; we are journeying toward our ultimate home—the Kingdom of God. Scripture and history are filled with examples of those who trusted in God’s promises, even when they seemed distant or impossible. Abraham, our father in faith, held onto hope despite the improbability of God’s promises. As consecrated people, we, too, must anchor our trust in the Lord, encouraging others to do the same.
BECOMING A SIGN OF HOPE FOR OTHERS
The world is filled with people searching for hope and meaning, burdened by suffering and uncertainty. When life’s struggles obscure their vision, they often lose sight of their purpose and their journey toward God. In these moments, they look to us for guidance and encouragement.
As those who seek and embody God’s presence and trust in His promises, we are called to be beacons of hope. In my ministry as a priest, I have had countless opportunities to bring hope to those grieving or struggling with life’s challenges. Our pilgrimage gains greater significance when we become a source of light and hope for others.
Fr. Angelos ended the reflection with a blessing and encouraged the consecrated men and women gathered to be “Pilgrims of Hope” so as to be Christ’s light for others.