Consecrated life celebrated at annual convocation

Dozens of religious sisters, priests and brothers, and others in consecrated life from across the Diocese of Trenton gathered Sept. 30 in Lawrenceville for their annual convocation.

Benedictine Sister Nancy Bauer was the presenter for the day, which carried the theme “For the Sake of the Church and the World: The Contemplative Dimension of Consecrated Life.” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., served as principal celebrant for Mass.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on how “consecrated life is a call to perfection but not a call to the perfect,” then spoke of how each of the consecrated persons in attendance had heard a call that “came from the Lord, developed and grew in the Lord, led and consecrated us to the Lord, motivated us in the Lord.”

“Whatever our age, whatever our experience, whatever our ministries, our imperfect yet consecrated lives took shape in the communities and congregations in which we find ourselves,” the Bishop said. “The Lord consecrated us in those communities and congregations, through the joys we celebrated and through the crosses we carried.  Religious life is not either/or — it is both/and.  No resurrection without crucifixion.  No living for others without dying to self.  No being full without poverty.  No being free without obedience. No true love without chaste sacrifice.”

You can learn more and view a photo gallery from the convocation in this story from The Monitor.