Evening prayer service to recognize those in consecrated life

Evening prayer service to recognize those in consecrated life

METUCHEN - The annual World Day for Consecrated Life, a celebration of men and women who serve God and the faithful through religious life, will be commemorated by an evening prayer service Feb. 6.
Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will serve as principal celebrant of the prayer service, which will begin at 4 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral.
During the ceremony men and women celebrating significant milestones in their religious professions will also be recognized.
Mercy Sister Lee Ann Amico, one of the jubilarians who is celebrating 50 years of service, will offer reflection at the evening prayer.
Religious Teachers Filippini Sister Ascenza Tizzano, delegate, Office of Religious, said the purpose of the day is threefold.
“Primarily we celebrate this day to praise and thank the Lord for the great gift of consecrated life. Secondly, this day invites the entire Church to reflect on the role of Consecrated Life,” Sister Ascenza said.
“Finally, this day allows those men and women in Consecrated Life to return to the sources of their vocation, to take stock of their own lives, and offers the opportunity to renew their commitment,” she added.
In addition to recognizing and celebrating those who committed themselves to the consecrated life, the service provides an opportunity for 8 and 11th graders in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs to be inspired to discern a vocation.
World Day for Consecrated Life was first established by Pope John Pau II to recognize those devoted to the consecrated life as well as an occasion for them to renew their dedication.
The day was first observed Feb. 2, 1997. As Feb. 2 is not a Sunday, the prayer service is traditionally celebrated on the Sunday following the feast of the Presentation.

For more information, call (732) 548-0100 or visit www.diometuchen.org.