by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY Kan. — At the outset of Jubilee Year 2025 focused on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” Catholics around the globe are being invited to observe the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life the weekend of Feb. 1 and 2.
St. John Paul II instituted this observance in 1997 as an opportunity to recognize, celebrate and prayerfully support men and women religious who have professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience; made commitments to a stable state of life recognized by the church; and radically dedicated themselves in service to God, the church and the people they serve. The Catechism of the Catholic Church identifies the following different forms of consecrated life: eremitic (hermits); consecrated virgins and widows; religious life; secular institutes; and societies of apostolic life.
In the Midwest, a group named “Catholic Sisters of Kansas” is taking the lead to raise awareness of consecrated religious life and its legacy of ministry dating to the 1800s. This group currently includes the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison; Dominican Sisters of Peace, Great Bend; Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Wichita; the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth; the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita.
Sister Jean Rosemarynoski, president and member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, explained.
“Our congregations and many others have ministered to the economically poor, the sick, the uneducated, the orphaned, the homeless, the hungry and those who seek a closer relationship with God. We want to share and continue this legacy of consecrated religious life in Kansas as we further connect with individuals, parishes, other religious congregations and the broader Catholic community.”
Sister Mary Elizabeth Schweiger, OSB, prioress of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, recognizes the power of their collective voices.
“As persons charged with the responsibility of witnessing Christ and bringing peace and unity into our world, we can make a difference,” she said. “We are not alone. We are in this together. We need to stay connected with one another to generate a light that makes for a broader vision. When each of us is fully charged, shining brightly with hope, love, compassion, forgiveness and caring, we can bring light into our darkened world.”
Members of the Catholic Sisters of Kansas envision the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life as a springboard for this profession of hope during Jubilee Year 2025. They are seeking to establish an intercongregational alliance among current and prior congregations with mother- houses in Kansas and/or that have served or continue to serve in the state. They are beginning to explore ways to connect with parishes by offering spiritual direction, conversation partners and prayer.
Individually, the congregations continue to offer centers for spirituality; work for peace and social justice; sponsor faith-based ministries; and perform other services associated with the founding charisms of their religious communities.
Nationally, there will be a virtual encounter of prayer for all members of consecrated life in the United States on Feb. 2, the actual World Day of Prayer observance. This is being hosted by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men; the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious; the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins; and the United States Conference of Secular Institutes. A Zoom link will be sent to all members of the conferences.
Later this year, Oct. 8-9 will be celebrated as a Jubilee for Consecrated Life with the theme of “Pilgrims of hope, on the way of peace.” According to the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC), this special Jubilee Year event in Rome is born out of the desire of consecrated men and women to reflect on the urgent need for peace and to answer the call to be witnesses and prophets of hope and peace.
For more information, visit the websites at: kscatholicsisters.org and nrvc.net/home.
