What is Consecrated Life?

The following reflection is drawn from a homily given by Rev. Nathan Ford, SJC on the occasion of the World Day of Consecrated Life, celebrated on February 2nd.

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In dark corridors of stone and brick, the quiet footsteps of sandals are all that can be heard. Early in the morning, before even the birds begin to sing, a soft chant echoes across the chapel of the Carmel. A new day has begun.

Shoulder bags and satchels slung over shoulders, men in black cloaks walk a different corridor as they head to their classrooms. Coffee in hand and their breviary under their arm, they fumble for their keys, eager to finish grading yesterday’s tests. Perhaps they will be more lenient today, their Father, Augustine, bids them so.

Men and women wait in line as women dressed in white saris with three blue lines dart about, smiling and laughing while they maintain order and keep the line moving. The midday meal is about to be served, and while these little missionaries lovingly invite any to join, they also mean business.

Hooded men sit in their choir stalls as the sun begins to set. A similar chant to that which welcomed the day is sung, but with far more gusto and pace. The Rule calls this chanting the “work of God” and their supreme duty. Although allowances for polyphony are graciously accepted.

And here and now… the sound of rosaries jingles as young Canons serve. The green lights of the confessionals blaze. And that same ancient prayer comes billowing forth from the loft. Flurries of black move in and around the church, making sure that everything goes smoothly.

The life of a consecrated religious — no matter what form it may take — is often a hidden one. Unseen by many. Misunderstood by most. And undesired, currently, by a large majority.

And yet, the life of a consecrated religious is probably the most vital for the life of the Church.

Vital, because without them — without their prayers, their work, their teaching, and most importantly their witness; we would forget,

We would forget who we are and where we are going.

What does it mean to “consecrate”? Con-sacrare. To make sacred. To set apart.

We consecrate so many things. Yes, we consecrate churches and we consecrate vessels and vestments. In a sense, every blessing given is a consecration: rosaries, scapulars, holy water, and candles — all consecrated for divine purposes.

And so, in the same way that the infant Jesus was taken to the temple and set apart for divine service, so does every man and woman who says their three “I Dos” of poverty, chastity, and obedience imitate the consecration of Christ. They become set apart. Dedicated.

“A light to reveal [God] to the nations.” Simeon says of Jesus. And he echoes those words to all consecrated religious who have followed.

For that is the true charism that unites religious of all shapes and sizes together — the singular definition of religious life no matter the habit, the rule, or the apostolate.

To be a light.

In the same way that we see the light of so many candles flickering across this church, every consecrated religious strives to bring the light of Christ into every corner of the world — including the darkest and most neglected. They know that they themselves are not the light — for there is only one light. But they offer their lives as wax and wick, seeking to burn with love so that a people shrouded in darkness may see.

Now, do not think that this burning is reserved to those special few who are called. For as you hold those tapers in your hands this evening, you are reminded of a day many years ago… a day when you, too, were brought into the midst of the temple and consecrated to God. After those lustral waters were poured over your heads and you donned your white baptismal gowns, a light was presented to you — lit from the greatest and mightiest of all candles.

A reminder to you that you are claimed. You are consecrated; and you are destined to share in eternal life.

Being a light to the world is not a calling only for Carmelites, Augustinians, Missionaries, Benedictines, or Canons. No, being a light consecrated to God is the charism of every Christian. To have the Spirit of God enter within you (the temple that you are) and shine forth His presence anywhere and everywhere you go.

But we forget this, don’t we? The darkness clouds our memories. It distorts our desires. It distracts our eyes. And it snuffs out our fire.

Which is why we need the witness of consecrated men and women to remind us of who we are and where we are going. We need lights in this world to guide us, inspire us, and rekindle us. We need young people who have not rejected the calling of God and who are encouraged by their families to consecrate themselves to Jesus so that the light of Christ might be passed from generation to generation. We need the fire and warmth of Christ’s love to be spread to those whose hearts have grown cold and dead. We need the joy of a life in intimate union with Christ to inspire others from despair.

Our Church, our world, needs desperately to be reminded of their true identity as consecrated sons and daughters of God; and be reminded of what life eternal will look like for all of us.

From beginning until the close of day, lights flicker and burn in convent chapels, in classrooms, in soup kitchen lines, in monastery choir stalls, and in confessionals, choir lofts, and on the front steps of a parish church.

Lights that burn as beacons of hope for a people who may sometimes be trapped in darkness.

Reminding us that:

Our God has come into the midst of His temple.

Our God has come into the midst of your temple.

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