Dear Oblates,

We join you on the eve of a day that is dear to us all. On February 2, the World Day of Consecrated Life is celebrated on the day when the Church remembers the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Consecrated women, you know that this is a significant day because it is dedicated to our wonderful vocation which, in different ways, makes God's love for man, woman and the whole universe shine forth.

So, we celebrate the mystery of consecration: the consecration of Christ, the consecration of Mary, the consecration of all those who follow Jesus for love of the Kingdom of God.

On this special day, I invite you to thank the Lord for the great gift of consecrated life. I invite you to make consecrated life better known and appreciated by all the people of God. I call upon you as consecrated persons to celebrate together the marvels that the Lord has accomplished in you. We need to reflect on the gift we have received, to discover it in the light of faith, to become aware of our incomparable mission in the Church for life in the world.

With this letter, I also wish to reduce the physical distancing that the pandemic has imposed on us for so many months and to express to each of you, our closeness. For months now, we have been following the news that reaches us from our companions in different countries: they speak of distress, of contagions, of deaths, of human and economic difficulties, of fears... but they also speak of resilience, of courage, of innovation, of renewal of faith, of charity.

On February 2, several activities are being organized in dioceses around the world to mark this special day. It will be a great opportunity to praise and thank the Lord for the gift of our vocation and mission!

May a living and loving faith, a sure and joyful hope, a humble and active charity be strengthened in you.

Pierrette Fortin
Interim President
January 26, 2022

Read also in french:
Article au Centre Pri, « Instituts Séculiers »
Témoignage de Renée Ntagungira : Ma vie consacrée dans un Institut séculier
Et la 26e journée mondiale de la vie consacrée