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DR Congo’s Catholic Dioceses Mark World Day of Consecrated with Calls to Fidelity, Mission, Ecclesial Communion

Credit: DIACENCO
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Kinshasa, 04 February, 2026 / 2:34 pm (ACI Africa).

Catholic Dioceses across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) marked the 2026 World Day of Consecrated Life on February 2 with solemn liturgical celebrations, processions of light, spiritual recollection, and renewed calls for fidelity, mission, and communion within the Church.

In the Catholic Diocese of Luebo, members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) gathered in an atmosphere of joy to celebrate their commitment to following the person of Jesus Christ. 

The day opened with a solemn procession from the Luebo parking area to St. John the Baptist Cathedral, symbolizing Christ as the light guiding believers. 

Presiding over the Eucharistic celebration on behalf of the Bishop, Fr. Stéphane Bayamba urged ICLSAL members to become “bearers of light,” encouraging them to radiate faith, hope, and love in a world in need of Gospel witness.

A similarly solemn atmosphere marked the celebration in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lubumbashi, where the Church commemorated the 30th World Day of Consecrated Life.

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Archbishop Fulgence Muteba, accompanied by Bishop Placide Lubamba of Kasongo Diocese, led a large procession of ICLSAL members behind the cross of Jesus Christ. 

The liturgy began with the rite of light, highlighting Christ as the Light of the world. 

Reflecting on the meaning of consecration, Archbishop Muteba said, “Consecration is nothing other than the total gift of one’s life to God, in the image of Christ presented in the Temple.”

In his homily centered on synodality and the evangelical counsels, the Archbishop of  Lubumbashi emphasized chastity, poverty, and obedience, stressing in particular that “the one who obeys never goes astray,” clarifying that obedience is lived “for the Kingdom of heaven and not to submit to someone’s whims.” 

He reminded the people of God that the Consecrated occupy a unique place in the Church, urging them to remain faithful to the missionary heritage handed down by earlier evangelizers.

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In the Diocese of Kasongo, ICLSAL members from various parishes and communities gathered at the Diocesan seat for a day marked by recollection, fraternity, and Eucharistic celebration. 

A spiritual retreat led by Fr. Kizito Mamba focused on the theme “fidelity in consecrated life,” addressing challenges such as discouragement and abandonment of vocations. 

Participants were encouraged to embrace conversion, fraternity, synodality, and missionary commitment. 

The day concluded with Eucharistic adoration, confession, a group photo, and a fraternal agape.

The Diocese of Kalemie-Kirungu celebrated the World Day of Consecrated Life with a solemn Mass at Our Lady of Grace Chapel presided over by the Vicar General, Fr. Élias Kabwe Shamanye. 

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In his homily, Fr. Elias highlighted the meaning of being “set apart,” reminding the Consecrated that they are first called to be companions of Christ before being sent on mission. 

In the Archdiocese of Bukavu, ICLSAL members gathered at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral for a thanksgiving Mass presided over by Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo. 

Archbishop Rusengo urged the Consecrated to return to the essence of their vocation, warning against personal ambitions and calling them to serve Christ faithfully through word and witness.

Meanwhile, in the Diocese of Kindu, women and men Religious processed from the Catholic University of Kindu to the Holy Spirit Cathedral for Holy Mass presided over by the Vicar General. 

In his homily, Fr. Jean Assani Sula emphasized humility and holiness, reminding participants that Consecrated Life is a gift received from God. 

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After Mass, ICLSAL members visited the graves of deceased women and men Religious, where they participated in prayer and reflection.

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.