A liturgy to open the Year of Consecrated Life in the Cincinnati archdiocese will be celebrated on Nov. 30 at Emmanuel Church in Dayton, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Cincinnati Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer will be the celebrant. Priests from religious orders in the archdiocese will con-celebrate the liturgy and men and women religious will participate in the choir.
Pope Francis has called for the worldwide Year of Consecrated Life to run from Nov. 30, 2014 to Feb. 2, 2016. The purpose is to recognize members of religious communities while giving laity a deeper understanding of religious life today. Religious congregations are planning individual events to occur during the Year.
“Each of us has a call from God, and discovering God’s call for us will bring joy to our life,” said the Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati. “Religious life/consecrated life is a viable option.”
The objectives Archbishop Schnurr has approved for the Archdiocesan observance of the Year are to:
• increase the visibility of religious life/consecrated life;
• express appreciation;
• highlight the joy experienced in this vocational choice;
• educate about religious life/consecrated life.
“The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has a long and rich history of welcoming religious communities,” Archbishop Schnurr said. “Today 34 different congregations of women and 12 different congregations of brothers and priests minister in the Archdiocese – approximately 226 priests, 114 brothers, and 781 sisters.”
Story by Dave Eck