Observance of 'Days with Religious' will focus on prayer, service, community

WASHINGTON-As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops? Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is promoting "Days with Religious" initiatives and resources to help families learn about the consecrated life of religious men and women. Activities will focus on sharing experiences of prayer, service and community life with those living a consecrated life.

"Our brothers and sisters in Christ living consecrated lives make great contributions to our society through a vast number of ministries," Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the bishops conference, said. "They teach in our schools, take care of the poor and the sick and bring compassion and the love of Christ to those shunned by society; others lead lives of prayer in contemplation for the world."

Pope Francis proclaimed 2015 a Year of Consecrated Life, starting on the First Sunday of Advent, the weekend of Nov. 29 and ending on Feb. 2, 2016, the World Day of Consecrated life. The year also marks the 50th anniversary of Perfectae Caritatis, a decree on religious life, and Lumen Gentium, the Second Vatican Council's constitution on the Church. Its purpose, as stated by the Vatican is to "make a grateful remembrance of the recent past? while embracing ?the future with hope."

"The 'Days with Religious' activities will represent great opportunities for families and adults to look at the many ways men and women serve Christ and the Church while answering the call to live in consecrated life," said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, North Carolina, chairman of the bishops Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

Catholics are invited to join activities that will be promoted in collaboration with the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.

On Feb. 8, 2015 the day will be dedicated for religious to host open house events, which will be coordinated to celebrate the World Meeting of Families to take place in Philadelphia. Events will include tours, open houses, receptions, family activities and presentations on the history of religious communities at convents, abbeys, monasteries and religious houses.

In the summer of 2015 a Day of Mission and Service with Religious will be held. Events will include joining religious in their apostolates or special service projects, such as assisting the elderly, ministering to the poor and homeless and caring for the less fortunate.

On Sept. 13, 2015 a Day of Prayer with Religious will be held. Events will include vespers, rosary or holy hours in convents, monasteries, religious houses, parishes and churches.

Prayers intentions, prayer cards, a video on consecrated life and other resources are available from the USCCB Web site.