Consecrated Life – A Life of Joy and Hope
On the feast of the Solemnity of the Presentation, I had the privilege of attending a meeting of consecrated persons at Siena College in Quezon City. It was one of the most profound and beautiful experiences I have had since I came to the Philippines. The meeting brought together people from diverse backgrounds, each dressed in habits of different colors. The older ones brought with them much wisdom and experience to share, while the younger ones were eager to offer their lives in service. Despite the differences in age and background, there was a common thread that united everyone: a shared calling and ideal. This unity filled me with an overwhelming sense of joy and hope that was then radiated by all the people I met as well.
From the beginning to the end of the event, one cry was continually repeated: Vita Consecrata – joy and hope. Indeed, joy and hope abound in the lives of consecrated persons, who have dedicated themselves to God, living in his presence and experiencing it in a deep and personal way. Perhaps God’s boundless love and compassion have touched your hearts deeply. This sacred encounter impels you to witness and share His love, especially with those in need, through a life of joyful service. Your lives now long to embrace every difference you encounter, offering hope to others as pilgrims on a journey of faith, as Mary and Joseph did with Simeon and Anna when they brought HOPE to that temple.
As a young religious, this Day of Consecrated Life calls me to pause and reflect on the profound beauty of my own vocation. It invites me to continually respond to the mystery of this sacred call and to renew my commitment. In the face of this divine invitation, I feel unworthy and small, but I am enveloped by God’s compassion and forgiveness. His grace strengthens and sustains me, giving me the courage to continue this journey, to live with joyful hope and to share it with others.
Finally, as we live the feast of Blessed Mother Ascension Nicol Goni, her call to embrace the missionary spirit still resonates in me. She once said, “The missionary has no other desire than to spread happiness.” This reminder calls us, her daughters, to encounter the Lord in our daily lives through prayer and contemplation. From that deep and intimate encounter, we are called to share with the world our own joyful encounter with the Lord, spreading hope to all we meet as our founding mother has done.
Hna. Maia, OP
Juniora, Provincia Reina de China
