Fr. Karanja made reference to St. Augustine’s question; “You who are poor, what do you lack if you have God and You who are rich, what do you have if you lack God?” and urged Consecrated persons to always turn to God in prayer for what is beyond their human capability.
In the statement issued ahead of the Wednesday, February 2 celebration, the official of RSCK urged Consecrated persons to fully participate in the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality saying that it is key in making pastoral decisions aligned to the will of God.
“This year we celebrate (the Day for Consecrated) at a time when the mother Church has invited us to journey together for a Synodal Church through Communion, Participation and Mission,” Fr. Karanja said, making reference to the theme of the 2023 Synod on Synodality.
He added, “As Consecrated persons we are invited to participate fully in this process where we are called to pray, listen, analyze, dialogue, discern and offer advice on making pastoral decisions which correspond as closely as possible to God's will.”
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has invited Consecrated persons to walk together as a community in the Synodal spirit of participation, where members exercise responsibility for one another through mutual listening, excluding no one.
The Vatican office makes reference to Pope Francis' message last year during the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life to invite consecrated women and men to the Synodal journey.
“Consecrated life is born, grows and can give evangelical fruits only in the Church, the living communion of the faithful People of God,” the leadership of the Congregation says in reference to Pope Francis’ message.
Officials the Vatican entity add in reference to participation in the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality, “We cannot but be among others and with others ... Synodality begins within us from a change of mentality, from a personal conversion, in the community or fraternity, in our homes, workplaces and structures to expand into ministries and mission.”
In the letter signed by the Prefect of the Congregation, João Cardinal Bráz de Aviz, and Secretary, Archbishop José Rogriguez Carballo, Consecrated persons are reminded about the importance of their vocation and urged to go back to the call.
The leadership of the Vatican Congregation further says that by going back to their vocations, the Consecrated persons “rediscover the enthusiasm, amazement and joy of feeling and being part of a project of love, for which others like them have also made their lives available for the good of humanity.”
