Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph

Consecrated ‘To Be with Him, and To Be Sent Out To Proclaim the Gospel’

08 Feb 2025 - 28 Feb 2025

On February 2nd, the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation of the Lord in the temple and dedicates it as the ‘World Day of Consecrated Life’. Thus, it is appropriate and obligatory for us to centre our thoughts and reflections on Consecrated Life and related aspects.

Fr. Mathias Wolff in Grondregels, no.120, writes about the privilege and blessedness of being chosen by God for this way of life:

• “Think how He has lifted you out of the turmoil of the world, out of the thousands and thousands of dangers into which you might have fallen, while there are many who have not had the good fortune to receive such a vocation as yours. You are in a safe port or refuge, while others float on the stormy sea of the world.”

• “Instead of dwelling on those melancholy and gloomy thoughts which the devil inspires to lure you out of this holy refuge (consecrated life), thank God often from the bottom of your heart and express your gratitude a thousand times to Him for having called you to such an exalted and holy state.”

To remain grateful to the Lord and to persevere in the holiness of this vocation to be with the Lord and to go out on His mission Fr. Wolff emphasises the importance of acquiring and preserving the ‘angelic purity’. In the Overwegingen-XIII, He says “I would rather die a thousand times than allow or consent to anything against purity. I want to be a pure bride of Jesus,” and suggests some of the spiritual practices as a help to preserve the purity of body and soul;

• Being conscious that ‘God sees me’ - has saved thousands of weak people who are strongly tempted to sin.

• Practising many acts of humility - some religious have practised as many acts of humility as the beads on the Rosary.

• The attentive use of the Holy Sacraments, and devotion to Saints.

• Mortification of oneself in eating, drinking and other material aspects. Always doing something for the glory of God, and never being idle.

• Constantly being conscious of the four extreme and important aspects, namely, Death, Judgement, Hell, and Heavenly Glory.

Let us thank God for choosing us to be with him and to participate in his mission. Let us renew our commitment to be pure and faithful spouses of Christ.