Religious men and women were challenged to re-examine the relevance of their mission as the Church marked the 30th World Day for Consecrated Life, celebrated at the Mater Dei Auditorium of St. Joseph College of Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Feb. 2.
Carrying the theme “Consecrated Persons: Prophetic Witnesses of Peace in a Wounded World,” the gathering brought together members of various religious congregations to reflect not only on the gift of consecrated life but also on its responsibility in a world marked by conflict, injustice, and fear.
In her welcome address, Sr. Mary Grace De Guzman, provincial superior of the SFIC Philippine North Province, described consecrated life as a “precious gift” rooted in radical discipleship, sustained by prayer, and expressed through generous service to God’s people.
“We come together as sisters and brothers from diverse congregations yet united by one call,” De Guzman said, noting that the year’s theme speaks powerfully to current global realities. She stressed that consecrated persons are called to be visible witnesses of peace amid wounded communities and fractured societies.
Sr. Cecilia Espenilla, vice chairperson of Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines, placed the celebration within its historical and spiritual context, recalling that the World Day for Consecrated Life was instituted in 1997 by Pope Saint John Paul II and is observed annually on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2.
Espenilla emphasized that consecrated life flows from the baptismal call and is shaped by the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows, she said, are not ends in themselves but pathways toward a Gospel-centered life.
“Our witness is a living reminder that the Gospel is not just a message to be heard, but a life to be lived with joy, humility, and love,” Espenilla said, pointing to the diverse settings where religious serve—from cloisters and mission fields to classrooms, hospitals, and the streets.
She also challenged religious communities to engage in honest discernment. “Do our ministries, our works, our presence respond to what the Spirit asks of us today?” she asked. “Are they adequate for the needs of today’s society and Church, or is there something we need to change?”
At the heart of the celebration, Espenilla underscored, is the call to peace. “The Gospel of Jesus is a message of peace,” she said. “Wherever there is a religious, there should be a message of peace—someone who promotes peace.”
As the Church marks three decades of the World Day for Consecrated Life, speakers urged religious men and women to remain faithful, credible, and responsive witnesses of peace in a wounded world.
