The ‘Year of Consecrated Life’ announced by the Pope earlier this year will begin on 30 November and end on 2 February 2016, the annual World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. The Pope is asking the Church’s religious sisters, brothers and priests, together with those in other forms of consecrated life, to ‘wake up the Church’ with their testimony of faith, holiness and hope. The year will be an opportunity for religious congregations to reflect on their particular charisms, the challenges they face today and on their continuing contribution to the mission of the Church.
Here in the diocese we are marking the Year by dedicating all of our monthly Vocations Discernment Group meetings for young adults to reflections and discussions with members of different religious congregations. We begin on Friday 24 October with Fr Matt Blake, a Discalced Carmelite, speaking on St Teresa of Avila, and a month later, on Friday 28 November, Fr Gianni Notarianni, an Augustinian, speaking on St Augustine. Both will reflect on why they have personally been inspired by the saint of their own congregation and what they feel the saint and their congregation have to offer the Church and those discerning their vocation today. It promises to be an inspiring journey across the diverse and rich landscape of consecrated life, celebrating its continuing relevance and fertility for the world.
The Westminster Vocations Discernment Group is for young adults (18-30’s) seeking to know God’s will for their lives. We meet from 7-9pm on the fourth Sunday of each month in the Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace, next to Westminster Cathedral.
For more information and a full programme of the group’s meetings, see www.rcdow.org.uk/vocations or contact
Fr Richard at richardnesbitt@rcdow.org.uk
