Year of Consecrated Life continues to 2016

Published: November 3, 2014

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Pope Francis proclaimed a Year of Consecrated Life to be celebrated from Nov. 30, 2014 to Feb. 2, 2016. This special observance began on the First Sunday of Advent and ends on the World Day of Consecrated Life.

The theme "Wake Up the World" is designed to educate Catholics about religious life and promote religious vocations through special events such as open houses at convents and monasteries, joint service projects between the religious and laity, and prayer with religious, such as vespers or holy hours, at religious houses that are open to the public. To learn more about these special events, visit the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

The year also marks the 50th anniversary of "Perfectae Caritatis," a decree on religious life, and "Lumen Gentium," the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. The purpose of the yearlong celebration, according to a Vatican statement, is to "make a grateful remembrance of the recent past" while embracing "the future with hope."

The USCCB also offers a special prayer card, song and list of suggested activities to celebrate this special event. Access these by visiting Year of Consecrated Life Resources. In the Diocese of Little Rock, learn more about our religious by visiting the Religious Order Directory.