Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “We are all aware of the treasure which the gift of the consecrated life in the variety of its charisms and institutions represents for the ecclesial community. Together let us thank God for the Religious Orders and Institutes devoted to contemplation or the works of the apostolate, for Societies of Apostolic Life, for Secular Institutes and for other groups of consecrated persons, as well as for all those individuals who, in their inmost hearts, dedicate themselves to God by a special consecration”, Pope John Paul II wrote in the post synodal exhortation “Vita consecrata” (n.2), following the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 1994.
It was Pope John Paul II who decided in1997 that the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple on the 2 February would be the World Day of Consecrated Life. In a message for the occasion (January 6, 1997) the Pope explained the reason for his decision “The celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life, which will be observed for the first time on 2 February, is intended to help the entire Church to esteem ever more greatly the witness of those persons who have chosen to follow Christ by means of the practice of the evangelical counsels and, at the same time, is intended to be a suitable occasion for consecrated persons to renew their commitment and rekindle the fervour which should inspire their offering of themselves to the Lord.”.
Consecrated Life includes men and women of active life and also those of contemplative life and members of a Secular Institute “an institute of consecrated life in which the Christian faithful, living in the world, strive for the perfection of charity and seek to contribute to the sanctification of the world, especially from within.” (can. 710 CIC). Monastic Orders offer a major contribution to the apostolic and evangelising work of the Church with their unceasing prayer and self-giving. Nor can we overlook in this general picture the precious collaboration of Societies of Apostolic Life, “whose members pursue the apostolic goals of their respective Society living a fraternal life in common, tending to perfection in charity according to their proper constitutions”.
According to the most recent edition of the Church’s Book of Statistics there are 55,030 Brothers in the world although the number decreased by 410 units. Situation: increase in Africa (+421) and Asia (+553); America (+22) and Oceania (+66) decrease in Europe (-652),
And there are 767,459 women religious in the world despite an overall decrease of - 8.810 registered by continent as follows: increase in Asia (+2,511) and Africa (+1,066) decrease in Europe (-8,790), America (-3,369) and Oceania (-228);).
Members of male secular institutes are 672 with an overall decrease of 19 units compared to last year on all continents except for Africa. Members of Female secular institutes also decreased by 646 units to a total of 28,270 members. Consistent decrease in Europe (-793) and slighter Oceania (-2).
Last year 2006 on the Day for Consecrated Life, at the end of his homily during Mass in St Peter’s Pope Benedict XVI said: “May the Lord renew in you and in all consecrated people each day the joyful response to his freely given and faithful love. Dear brothers and sisters, like lighted candles, always and everywhere shine with the love of Christ, Light of the world. May Mary Most Holy, the consecrated Woman, help you to live to the full your special vocation and mission in the Church for the world's salvation”.
The important collaboration of women religious in the work of evangelisation at times demands even the supreme sacrifice of life. Last year 2006 no less than three women religious were killed while on mission respectively in Asia, in America and in Africa: Sr Maria Yermine Yamlean of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart (FDNSC) resident in the convent of Jalan Pattimura in the city of Ambon capital of the Moluccas Islands was mortally stabbed by an intruder on 10 March 2006. Sr Karen Klimczak a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph (SSJ) was killed Buffalo state of New York (USA) on Good Friday, 14 April 2006, by a former prisoner an inmate of the Rehabilitation House where she worked. Sr Leonella Sgorbati, Consolata Missionary murdered on 17 September 2006 in Mogadishu, Somalia, by two gunmen hidden behind a car waiting for her as she made her way to the hospital where she worked. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/2/2007; righe 54, parole 735)
