On February 2, 2026, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass on the 30th World Day for Consecrated Life praising “consecrated men and women for living out their steadfast faith even in the most difficult of circumstances and invited them to be leavens of peace and signs of hope.”
The World Day for Consecrated Life was established in 1997 by Pope John Paul II to recognize and support men and women who have embraced consecrated life within the Church. It is celebrated annually on February 2, coinciding with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
The Holy Father shares: “For consecrated persons, this feast embodies their mission to be witnesses to Christ’s presence in the world, much like Simeon and Anna who recognized and proclaimed the Messiah. Just as Jesus was presented and acknowledged in the Temple, consecrated men and women are called to present Christ to the world through their lives of prayer, service and fidelity. As the Church continues to navigate contemporary challenges, the example of consecrated life invites all the faithful to a deeper fidelity and trust in God’s saving presence.”
As Oblates, we have been consecrated to live in our communities while striving for holiness and charity. We hold in our hearts that we are consecrated to live a life that exemplifies a deeper commitment to God and serve the Kingdom of God.
We embrace the invitation to enter into the most “difficult of circumstances”, and to “navigate contemporary challenges” in our communities with “our neighbors.” Our neighbors who are struggling, marginalized and targeted.
As Oblates, we accept and welcome the opportunity to live out Matthew 25: 34-36: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
As stated in a Handbook for Oblates: “In loving obedience to God’s plan, Oblates develop a deep reverence for life. They respect it as a precious gift from God and defend those groups that, because of age, health or race are defenseless and most open to attack. Seeking harmony and integrity of life, they perpetuate and enhance the traditional Benedictine motto: Peace.”
The Holy Father stated on February 2, 2026: “Our founders and foundresses offer us wonderful models of how to fulfill this mandate faithfully and effectively.” He marveled how “they allowed themselves to be guided with faith and courage.” This faith moved them to return, humbly and wisely to the foot of the Cross and Tabernacle where they offered everything and discovered both the source and the goals of their actions. Let us, too, go humbly and wisely to the foot of the Cross and Tabernacle to prayerfully offer everything and to be reminded of the source and the goals of our actions.
As Oblates, may we daily offer ourselves to be the “leaven of peace and signs of hope” to each other, to our communities, our state and into our world. May we step forward in faith and courage and prayer.
AMEN
–Sarah Sutliff, OblSB
