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Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - "We are monks and nuns, members of contemplative orders, men and women religious dedicated to the apostolate, members of secular institutes and societies of apostolic life, consecrated virgins and hermits and by our existence we bear witness to the love of Christ in all areas of ecclesial and social life. Our way of life and our search for the absolute are a spiritual therapy for the ills of our time", says the message of the Confederation of Religious of Latin America and the Caribbean (CLAR) on the occasion of the World Day of Consecrated Life on February 2nd.
"We are experiencing the present with great intensity, surrounded by uncertainty and trying to provide answers to the many questions that surround us", the message continues. "We are beginning to experience a new way of being church and learning with a synodal trait that urges us to recover prophetic wisdom and make the gospel the only rule of life". On World Day of Consecrated Life, the men and women religious renew their consecration to God. "It is time to put ourselves at the service of humanity, to abandon any abuse - continues CLAR - to establish synodal relations ... It is time to walk in minority with the people, to motivate the dynamics of collaboration and co-responsibility, to articulate the participation of all, to learn to live in proximity".
In recent years, the consecrated life has embarked on a journey of "deepening, purification, communion and mission" underlines the text.
"The synodal process now unites us in listening, in communion, in participation and in mission, to enrich the Church with our virtues and charisms, and to give the world our joyful witness of total self-giving to the Lord".
The First Ecclesial Assembly of Latin America and the Caribbean recognized the work of CLAR and its contribution to the emergence of a mentality and practice of synodality in the Church. This recognition encourages consecrated persons to promote dialogue between bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay people "to share, build trust and develop common commitments to the problems of life, with one heart and one soul, that are centered on God". "On this feast of the Presentation of the Lord - the message concludes - we renew our thanks to God for the gift of consecrated life that the Spirit has awakened in the Church and the invitation to renew our commitment to follow Christ, obedient, poor and chaste. Through our witness to the Gospel, may the presence of Christ, the light of the nations, shine in the Church and enlighten the world". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 1/2/2022)
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