Bishop David celebrated Mass for religious brothers, sisters and priests on Thursday 2nd November in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Woburn Sands.
Religious orders from across the diocese were represented as Mass was celebrated in the Church before they enjoyed lunch in the parish hall provided by the team at Café 1850.
The world day for consecrated life was instigated by Pope John Paul ii in 1997 for three reasons:
- To praise and thank the Lord for consecrated life
- To promote knowledge of and esteem for consecrated life
- To encourage those who belong to religious congregations to gather and celebrate together.
As the Mass began the religious present held lit candles as today was the feast of the Presentation of our Lord and Bishop David told those present that the candles represented the light of Christ that each of them had been called to be.
Fr John McGowen, a Carmelite priest currently residing at St Joseph’s in Gerrards Cross gave the homily and shared some of the challenges and joys of religious life, saying
“The greatest joy of religious life is the same as the greatest challenge, community living!”
He went on to say,
“Sacrifice can make us happy. If we are to be a light for this world then the world needs to see us happy!”
Pictures from the gathering can be viewed here