CELEBRATING THE DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE

(Bro. Amoss Patrick Kamwendoh FIC)

On 2^nd February every year, the Catholic Church commemorates the feast of the presentation of the Lord. It is with this background that the religious worldwide celebrates the day of consecrated life. This year’s celebration in the Archdiocese of Blantyre was celebrated on 3^rd February under the theme “Go and invite everybody to the banquet” (Matthew 22:9) and was combined with the belated birthday of the Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of the Archdiocese of Blantyre. Archdiocese of Blantyre has 16 religious congregations out of which nine (9) are for women and seven (7) are for men.

Some of the Priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters who were in attendance.

The mass started with a procession into the cathedral with lighted candles as a symbol that we are the light of the world. It also signifies our prayer life, which is offered in faith, entering the light of God. In addition to that, it also shows reverence and our desire to remain present in prayer. 

In his introduction and homily, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Fr. Borniface Tamani DP, thanked the congregation particularly the religious for coming together to celebrate their day. He reminded them to still forge ahead with the good works each congregation is doing in the Archdiocese of Blantyre and beyond. He called on to them to be light in every corner they find themselves. “We are called to share this light with those in darkness so that they too may see light”, he said. “As Jesus says in the gospel of John that he is the light of the world and anyone who follows him will never be in darkness (John 8:12), therefore we are encouraged to keep our candles burning like Prophetess Anna and Simeon who kept their candles burning even in their old age”, he concluded. 

After the celebration of the Eucharist, the priests, religious and lay people took group photos thereafter, they proceeded to the cathedral’s hall for lunch. That marked the day’s celebration.