Continuing to search for God is at the heart of the consecrated life. This is the reminder given by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa, to consecrated people on Friday, February 2, 2024, World Day of Consecrated Life, at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Congo.
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Religious people from various congregations in Kinshasa and the surrounding area gathered to celebrate the day, which began with the recitation of the Rosary, followed by a procession and blessing of candles, followed by the Holy Mass and moments of merrymaking.
Charisma of consecrated life
The Archbishop of Kinshasa congratulates consecrated men and women and wishes them a happy holiday, while reminding them that the intention of Pope John Paul II, who established the World Day of Consecrated Life in 1997, was not for consecrated men and women to celebrate. It also reminded me. Not themselves, but as an invitation to teach God's people and to remind them through their testimony of the charism of consecrated life in the Church. Cardinal Ambongo expressed his gratitude for the work of the Council of Grand Masters (COSUMA), who, despite the many challenges it faces, consecrated people to receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their activity, apostolate and deeds. (Luke 2:34).
Three temptations identified by Pope Francis in Kinshasa
Father Camille Sapoux, Provincial of the Fathers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, recalled at the end of the Mass on February 2, 2023 in the same Notre-Dame du Congo Cathedral in Kinshasa: , Pope Francis himself had met with DRC's consecrated men and women, clergy, and seminarians. During his pastoral visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Pope encouraged clergy and religious to address three challenges: spiritual mediocrity, the pursuit of worldliness and worldly comforts, and intellectual superficiality. .
World Day of Consecrated Life will be celebrated in Kinshasa on February 2, 2024.
invitation to prudence
On Thursday, February 1, in a conference ahead of the feast day, Cardinal Ambongo returned to these three temptations presented by the Pope. In his address, the Archbishop of Kinshasa called upon the consecrated people to constantly renew their commitment to following Christ in the way they think and discern the will of God in their lives, communities and congregations. The cardinal also cautioned religious people not to entertain fake news or become involved in cybercrime schemes. In general, he encouraged careful use of social media networks.
World Day of Consecrated Life will be celebrated in Kinshasa on February 2, 2024.
After Mass on Friday, February 2, 2024, the consecrated men and women of Kinshasa, together with Archbishop Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo and two auxiliary bishops Edouard Isango and Edouard Tshimba, will be present in the courtyard of the cathedral. We shared an outdoor meal.
