BISHOP DAVID M. O'CONNELL, C.M., HAS SHARED THIS MESSAGE for the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, Feb. 2.
People will occasionally ask me what the letters “CM” mean after my name. As a member of a religious community in the Church, I am identified as belonging to that religious community by its initials. “CM” designates membership in the Congregation of the Mission, more popularly known as “the Vincentians.”
We are a Society of Apostolic Life founded by St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, France, over 400 years ago. Our charism is to find and serve Christ present in the poor by preaching the Gospel to them.
We were also founded to train and assist the diocesan clergy, of which St. Vincent de Paul was a member in the Diocese of Paris. As Vincentians, we profess the evangelical counsels or “vows” of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability in the Congregation. When consecrated a bishop, however, the vows of poverty, obedience and stability are dispensed since, as bishop, the religious priest becomes a member of the diocese he oversees while still “belonging to the order.”
The bishop’s obedience shifts from his religious superior to the Pope alone and, like other diocesan priests, his vow of poverty is translated to a commitment to simplicity of life since, rather than his community, he becomes responsible for his own support. Read the full message HERE.THE YOUTH OF THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON will once again reconnect at the annual Diocesan Youth Conference, set for Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Donovan Catholic High School, 711 Hooper Ave., Toms River.
Sponsored by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the event is open to all youth in the Diocese in eighth through 12th grades. The day will conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Pre-registration is now closed. Walk-in registrations are welcomed. For more information, visit HERE.