Celebrating Consecrated Life: Keeping connected

Sister Annette Wagner, IWBS is Director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

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One of the essentials of any strong relationship is keeping connected. Members of consecrated life are well aware of this truth. Since relationships in consecrated life are multi-directional; so are the opportunities available to keep connected.

The most obvious relationship is between the individual and God who has called the individual into consecrated life. Others include relationships with those living the same life in a particular congregation or community and those encountered through service—either being served by or serving with the religious.

The ways members keep connected within and beyond community vary in style from community to community. However, one means remains constant in all congregations: prayer. Prayer life in a community is its life-breath. It is what holds the member close to God. It is what holds the members close to each other and together in God.

Because religious are both individual and members of a larger reality, prayer in consecrated life is multi-faceted.

First is individual prayer. Each member designates a certain amount of time daily to keeping an individual or particularized connection with God who loves and sustains him or her. There are so many options to choose from during this time. Contemplation, meditation, centering prayer, use of a mantra, just enjoying God’s presence—whatever the method, the individual has the opportunity to open herself or himself totally to the presence and action of God in a conscious, willing and welcoming manner.

Next, as a member of a congregation with a particular charism and spirituality, the individual may also have committed to share in certain prayers, like the rosary or other devotionals. Sharing these prayers—whether alone or with others—both strengthens and offers an experience of the bond that holds these members together—as called by God to their community within their spirituality.

Finally, as a baptized member of the Church, the individual participates in liturgical prayer. The term liturgy literally means “the work of the people.” And what work has Christ left for his people to continue; the work of salvation. Thus, all members of the people of God, all members of the body of Christ continue the work of salvation initiated by Christ. The good works or service may vary, but the liturgy remains the same.

Liturgy, by its very name is a community effort that cannot be celebrated in private. A particular number of members pray in the name of the entire body for the entire body to accomplish God’s will of salvation. Religious pray as and for the Church in the Liturgy of the Hours and the sacraments, particularly the Mass.

In the Liturgy of the Hours, the times (hours) and efforts of the day are celebrated and blessed. For most congregations, the two major “hours” or times of prayer are lauds (morning prayer) and vespers (evening prayer). Morning prayer celebrates the gift of another day in God’s creation and asks for God’s blessing upon the efforts of the day. Evening prayer marks the end of the day’s efforts with a return to the home community and asks for God’s blessing on movement into a time of rest.

Celebration of Mass or Eucharist—indeed any sacrament—moves participants past the focus of chronological time and daily cares into the timeless reality of the Paschal Mystery and the eternal accomplishment salvation. In that sense, all members of the body of Christ—no matter where or when they celebrate Eucharist—meet in celebrating the timelessness of God’s limitless love and salvation.

Opportunities for liturgy, shared prayer and individual prayer are available to every parishioner, every follower of Christ. However, members of consecrated life enjoy the extra assistance of structures and companionship in pursuing daily a strong and supportive prayer life.

In addition to daily prayer, religious communities guarantee their members a variety of other opportunities that may be characterized by their spirituality: annual extended retreats, monthly days of recollection, particular weekly services, seasonal observances and special feasts.

Does all this seem like a lot? What else can hold together a community of individuals very often from a variety of backgrounds and experiences? What else can keep religious involved in service that can both invite and challenge? What else can keep an individual religious focused on her or his goal of total and eternal union with a God who calls ever closer? What else?