World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life
The World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is celebrated by the Catholic Church on Sunday, February 2, 2025. Instituted by St. Pope John Paul II in 1997, the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day, which commemorates, through the blessing and lighting of candles, that Christ is the light of the world. Those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
On this day, please pray for all those who have made commitments in consecrated life and be sure to thank them for having committed their lives to Christ. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation.
Prayers for Consecrated Life
"God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s kingdom as sisters, brothers, religious priests, consecrated virgins, and hermits, as well as members of Secular Institutes. Renew their knowledge and love of you, and send your Holy Spirit to help them respond generously and courageously to your will. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." (U.S. Bishop's Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations)
God, throughout the ages you have called women and men to pursue lives of perfect charity through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. We give you thanks for these courageous witnesses of faith and models of inspiration. Their pursuit of holy lives teaches us to make a more perfect offering of ourselves to you. Continue to enrich your Church by calling forth sons and daughters who, having found the pearl of great price, treasure the Kingdom of Heaven above all things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Modified from the Prayer for the Year of Consecrated Life)
Prayers of the Faithful
For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray to the Lord....
Read more prayers of the faithful (Taken from the Year of Consecrated Life).
Stories of Service in Our Diocese (Harvest magazine)
- Embracing the spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon
- Carrying on a legacy of caring for the homeless (honoring Brother Irénée Richard, OP
- Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary celebrate 125 years of service in the spirit of Blessed Elisabeth Turgeon
- Sister Rita-Mae Bissonnette, RSR, celebrates 50 years of faithful service to the Diocese of Portland
2022-2023
- Servants of the Blessed Sacrament - The Servants of the Blessed Sacrament in Waterville will continue their ministry of prayer as members of the Vietnamese Province
- Sisters offer the ministry of presence to the Hispanic community
- Sister Bernadette Gautreau, a members of the Sisters of Ste Chrétienne, shares her experiences serving the Cree people of Alberta, Canada, for 50 years.
- Felician Sisters - Founders of St. Joseph Healthcare in Bangor
- Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec - Esther Residence (Assisting women leaving incarceration)
- Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist serve at Saint Dominic Academy and Prince of Peace Parish
- Sisters of Charity of Saint-Hyacinthe - Founders of St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston
2018-2021
- Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon recall their years of service in education and healthcare in Jackman
- Brothers of Christian Instruction Celebrate 50 Years of Service in Maine
- Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Focus on Haiti
- Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec - CourageLIVES, assisting survivors of human trafficking.
- Little Franciscans of Mary - Sister Carol Martin, currently at St. Michael Parish in Augusta, recently
celebrated 50 years of service.
REV Retreat!
All Catholic high school youth are invited to participate the REV Retreat, a day of vocational exploration and an opportunity to grow in love of the Eucharist. During the retreat, youth and young adults will learn what differentiates diocesan priests from religious order priests as well as the gifts of consecrated life and other vocations. Featured presenters will include members of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, Discalced Carmelite Friars, Mr. & Mrs. Jamie Derosier, who will be discussing marriage, and Father Brad Morin, director of the Office of Vocations.
The retreat will be held at St. Joseph Church, 531 North Main Street in Brewer, on Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. [Learn more]
