MISSION OF CONSECRATED: CONTEMPLATE AND GIVE WITNESS TO CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, FEB 2, 2001 (VIS) - This evening, in St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, presided over the Eucharistic celebration for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Fifth Day of Consecrated Life.

The Pope took part in the celebration, giving the homily in the presence of the many members of Institutes of Consecrated Life who filled the Basilica.

After recalling the guidelines outlined in the Apostolic Letter "'Novo Millennio Ineunte': Contemplating the face of Christ, setting out anew from Him, and witnessing to his love," the Holy Father affirmed that "This is a contribution that you are called to give daily, above all through fidelity to your vocation as persons totally consecrated to Christ."

"Your primary commitment, therefore," the Pope continued, "must be to contemplation. ... Set out anew from Christ, center of every personal and community plan. ... And walk with Christ: this is the way of evangelical perfection, the sanctity to which every baptized person is called."

John Paul II emphasized that "only if you persevere in faithfully following Christ, will you be credible witnesses of His love. ... Christ is salvation and hope for every man! Announce Him with your existence, dedicated entirely to the Kingdom of God and the salvation of the world. Proclaim Him with uncompromising faith which, even recently, has led some of your brothers and sisters in various parts of the world to martyrdom. Be light and comfort to every person that you meet. As lit candles, burn with the love of Christ. Be consumed for Him, spreading the Gospel of His love everywhere."

At the end of the homily, the Holy Father gave thanks to God for the gift of consecrated life and imparted the blessing at the conclusion of the celebration.

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