CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Portugal: “The joy of vocation” On February 2, the same day as the liturgical feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, the Portuguese Church celebrated “the Day of Consecrated Life” established in 1997 by John Paul II. The feast lies within the framework of the Week of Consecrated Life (ongoing until February 6), established by the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference (CEP), in conjunction with the Bishops’ Conference for Vocations and Ministries, whose theme for this year is “Consecrated Life in Church Mission”. The President of the Conference of Portuguese Religious Institutions (CIRP), Manuel Barbosa, said he hopes the initiative will “provide a living testimony of the Church, faithful to her tradition: being happy in the chosen vocation, being devoted in prayer, in spiritual reflection, in the encounter with God and with individuals means fulfilling one’s mission”. “For this occasion, religious orders, secular institutions, dioceses, parishes and movements are all called to reflect on the meaning of Christian mission, also to the light of the recent document titled: Re-thinking Together Church Pastoral Care, adopted by the CEP Plenary meeting in Fatima on April 14 2010, regardless of the specific charismas characterizing religious congregations” – said the Dehonian Father. “In fact, when we say that a charisma highlights a given dimension it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be shared with everyone. Otherwise it wouldn’t be a true charisma that benefits the common good of the Church and of those societies where it is performed”.Switzerland: poet and nun, to the service of God “Living before God’s presence now and forever” is the title of the tribute paid by the Swiss Bishops’ Conference to sister Hedwig (Silja) Walter, Benedictine nun, who passed away on January 31 at 91 years old in the convent of Fahr. In a statement released on February 2, the Day for Consecrated Life, the Swiss bishops recall, “poet and nun Silja Walter dedicated her entire life to the search of Him who is the fountainhead of all things. With her unique language she guided many people in their quest”. She spent her entire life in the Church. She viewed “difficulties not with resignation but as a challenge”. Her works, continues the statement, enable us “to share her struggle and her quest. Her words reached out to many people that would otherwise have not been reached by the Church. Her presence is also felt in the Church’s prayer omnibus with songs, chants and poems. In all of her works” Sister Dewig “bears witness to God’s presence. She sought her haven – here and forever – in God’s mystery”. Finally, in the message the prelates render thanks to God “for having bestowed upon us this Benedictine nun whose talents were put at the service of the glory of God”.Ireland: St. Brigid of Kildare, a true “peacemaker”On 1° February, the liturgical feast of Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland’s Patron Saints the Irish Chaplaincy in Britain (ICB), the charity that offers counselling and assistance to Irish immigrants in state of poverty and at risk of marginalization, claimed Saint Brigid as its Patron Saint. Saint Brigid lived sometime in the years 452-525 A.C. She was the founder and abbess of one of the first Irish monasteries at Kildare. She continued the evangelising mission in the island initiated by bishop Saint Patrick. In fact, her figure is considered a link between the Celtic pagan world and early Christianity. According to father Gerry McFlynn (ICB), it is a “positive choice”, since “far from being a figure consigned to folklore, she emerges as someone who has much to say to us today about contemporary concerns and issues such as the commitments for peace and justice, equality, care for the earth, as well as being a model for a contemplative life”. “What makes her particularly relevant for us today – continues Father McFlynn – is the range of issues and concerns she embraced and the manner in which she dealt with them. She was a peacemaker who intervened in disputes between clans and factions bringing healing and reconciliation”. Father McFlynn wonders “how she would respond to peacemaking today with the countless national and international conflicts, the arms race (with its budget of $20m per minute on weapons of destruction), and the ongoing plight of the world’s poor”. Philomena Cullen, Director of the ICB, said: “Through our work with prisoners, Travellers, and older people, the ICB works with some of the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalised Irish people in society. St Brigid is the sort of person from whom those involved in this work can draw inspiration, hope and strength. It is for these reasons and especially her legendary concern for the poor and marginalised, that the ICB has decided to adopt her as its patron saint”.
