Celebrating Consecrated Life: A CALL

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Sister Annette Wagner, IWBS is director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

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Remember when people asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you want to do when you grow up?"

These are very important questions that should be answered thoughtfully and whole-heartedly. In a way, however, the answers have already been given…even before the questions are asked. For God has already chosen each one of us to be the beloved of God and to do God's work of bringing love to fullness in our world.

At our baptism we are formally given that identity and mission, initiated into the life of the risen Christ and welcomed into a covenant that is nothing less than commitment to live in loving relationship; a loving relationship that embraces us and compels us to share that love with others.

Beyond our immediate family, the "others" that welcome us into this loving relationship are members of the faith community who provide our baptism. This faith community we call the Church, the Body of Christ in our world.

As Paul reminds us, the body has many parts, each enjoying a particular dignity, each offering important contributions to the health and welfare of the whole, each assisting in the body to accomplish its work. Thus each of us has an important role to play in sustaining and extending this love relationship to which we have been called.

Yes, we are to live that love and offer it to others. And so the real question is, "How do you choose to answer God's call to be God's beloved and to carry on the mission of love?"

Within this basic call to love is hidden what is commonly called "our vocation," the style of loving that best fits our personality, temperament, interests, gifts and talents. The style of loving that will help us grow into that person God dreams for us to be.

One such vocation is the vocation or call to consecrated life. The lifestyle of consecrated life contains an array of appearances and offers a variety of voices. Yet, this diversity within consecrated life still holds a consistency formed by a sharing of common essential elements.

No matter what the particulars, those in consecrated life will affirm that their life is defined by the vows of poverty, celibate chastity and obedience; a focused prayer life; a unique charism and particular spirituality; commitment to community relationship; dedication to caring for those in particular need.

The Church universal rejoices in the presence of such a lifestyle within its faith communities. Through the diversity within this unity, all members of the Body are strengthened…nurtured…comforted…challenged…

Locally, the Diocese of Corpus Christi is enriched by the presence of 19 different religious congregations. Individually and communally, through their presence and actions, these sisters, brothers and priests bring a special flavor to parish life and diocesan services. In turn they, through faithfulness to their call, and the support of the other members of the Body of Christ, become who God is calling them to be.

(Editor's note: This is the first in a yearlong series of articles in celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life.)