Pope thanks world's religious, celebrates day for consecrated life

Published: 2006-02-02

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI thanked the members of the world's religious orders, saying their total dedication to Christ was a strong sign of faith in modern society. The pope, joined by several thousand men and women religious, celebrated a Mass to mark World Day for Consecrated Life, which was observed in Rome Feb. 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As the liturgy opened, religious priests, sisters and brothers lit candles in the darkened basilica and the pope, holding his own candle, processed to the main altar. He concelebrated the Mass with priests of 17 religious orders. In a sermon, the pope said he wanted to thank the nearly 1 million members of religious orders for the many different forms of service they carry out. Their complete dedication is an eloquent sign of the presence of the kingdom of God in the world, he said.

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