Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Jubilee of Consecrated Life, Urges Religious to Treasure Gift of Vocation

Pope Leo XIV presided over a Holy Mass in St. Peter's Square on October 9, 2025, to mark the Jubilee of Consecrated Life. The celebration drew over 40,000 participants, including men and women religious, monks, nuns, and contemplatives from around 100 countries.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Gospel passage "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you" (Luke 11:9). He emphasized that living out vows means abandoning oneself like children into the arms of the Father. The Pope encouraged consecrated persons to recognize the gift of their vocation and to treasure and cultivate it.

Key Highlights of the Pope's Message

- Gift of Vocation: Pope Leo XIV urged consecrated persons to reflect on the free gift of their vocation, recognizing God's love and action in their lives.

- Prayer and Action: He emphasized the importance of prayer and action in consecrated life, citing the Second Vatican Council's description of vows as a means of "deriving more abundant fruit from baptismal grace" (Lumen Gentium, 44).

- Eschatological Dimension: The Pope highlighted the eschatological dimension of Christian life, calling consecrated persons to be engaged in the world while constantly striving towards eternity.

Call to Authentic Love

Pope Leo XIV warned against a way of thinking that leads to a "genuine paralysis of the soul," where people settle for fleeting moments and superficial relationships. Instead, he emphasized the need for consistent, lasting, and healthy experiences of love. He encouraged consecrated persons to spread the "fresh air" of authentic love throughout the world.

Citing Saint Paul VI

The Pope concluded his homily by citing Saint Paul VI's Apostolic Exhortation Evangelica Testificatio, urging consecrated persons to:

- Keep the simplicity of the Gospel

- Be truly poor, meek, eager for holiness, merciful, and pure of heart

- Bring peace to the world

The Jubilee of Consecrated Life will continue with various events in Rome until October 12, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Jubilee of Consecrated Life, Urges Religious to Treasure Gift of Vocation

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