Consecrated life, looking ahead

The last Saturday in August has a special flare across the dioceses of Bohemia and Moravia. Entire communities of religious men and women took part in the “national pilgrimage on gratitude” in Velehrad, sharing the experiences of their vocation and praying together, on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life, on the invitation of the Holy Father who exhorted them “to look at the past with gratitude, to live the present with zeal, to embrace the future with hope”. Projects and events. There are many projects at diocesan and national level held in the Czech Republic this year to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life and draw public attention on spirituality, charisma, and the commitment of religious communities. A novena of consecrated persons to Saint Adalbert, Patron Saint of the nation, was recently published. The exhibition “Mad about God” was held in May and June in Prague on the occasion of the Day of Faith; a set of documentaries on the approach of consecrated person vis a vis important issues of contemporary society, and on several aspects of their spiritual life, was uploaded on You Tube. The publishing house Refugium has released a “handbook” with pastoral reflections for the year titled “S. Adalbert among us”, with the invitation to undertake a pilgrimage to the relics of this saint, “the first European Saint with Czech roots who contributed to the creation of a map of Europe for the entire second millennium”. People like us… The press office of the Czech Bishops’ Conference developed an interesting project consisting in a set of questions to religious men and women, including “secular” questions, so they may be seen to the public for who they are: normal, spontaneous persons, with a special mission in this world, who appreciate sense of humour, watch movies and have to struggle with their temptations. “I want to tell you about a funny episode of my pastoral service, occurred some time ago. I had an appointment with a woman in need of spiritual counsel in a public place. After a one-hour-long in-depth interview, we discovered that her appointment was with another priest in the same place and my appointment was with another woman. We had a good laugh, the ways of the Lord are winding roads…” said Franciscan Fr Frantisek Jakub Sadílek. “I had to learn to wake up early in the morning, as I was used to unpredictable working hours at the theatre”, admitted Pauline nun Andrea Hýblová, answering a question of the things she had to renounce and those she gained after having decided to live God fully and for others. “I had to renounce my contacts with the realm of art, but I was paid back in an excellent way. I earned 2.400 sisters worldwide, and now, wherever I go, I receive a warm reception in the family”. Trappist monk M. Prokop told us how much he appreciates manual work in the woods: “The trees we cut today were planted at the time of the emperor and those we plant now will be cut in future centuries. It’s a very demanding commitment, there is no room for short-lived enthusiasm; and the same goes for pastoral engagement”. According to Piarist Fr Lukasz Karpinski, these intimate confessions of joy and daily hassles, bring to the fore a deep spiritual life based on prayer, Mass and spiritual service to all those in need in the effort – following the invitation of Pope Francis – “of being able to reawaken the world”. Active participation and powerful witness. Two important events at national level will be held in the framework of the Year of Consecrated Life in Bohemia and Moravia in the coming weeks and months. One of these has already begun: it’s the pilgrimage of the relics of the Saint Adalbert – the first Czech consecrated person to the canonized – across religious communities and parishes nationwide. The second event will be the national Eucharistic Congress, that will close October 17 next in Brno, where is expected active participation along with the powerful witness of religious men and women, in keeping with the Apostolic Letter of the Holy Father on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life, when he speaks of those who are called by God “to follow Christ more closely, to translate the Gospel into a particular way of life, to read the signs of the times with the eyes of faith and to respond creatively to the needs of the Church”.