The Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Benguela in Angola has reminded Consecrated persons of their lifelong decision to go beyond themselves in selfless love and in seeking the will of God in their lives.In his homily during the Perpetual Profession of members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) in Angola, Bishop António Francisco Jaca encouraged the Religious to “live their vocation wholeheartedly”.
A consecrated person must live with a strong and passionate love for their vocation, willing to leave everything to follow God’s will,” Bishop Jaca said during the September 15 Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral of his Episcopal See. He added, “Consecrating oneself to God is a selfless act of love.”The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) recognized the 21st century situation of Consecrated persons, saying, “In a globalized world dominated by ethical and moral relativism, Religious vows are a true challenge. The path to human fulfillment comes through obedience to God’s plan and the complete gift of one’s life to others.”
During the Holy Mass, where Sr. Georgina N. Seculo, Sr. Elisa S. Gonçalves, and Sr. Mariana J. Feliciana made their Perpetual Profession, Bishop Jaca said that Religious Life is not about personal fulfillment. “Consecrated life is not merely a path for personal achievement but an act of total surrender to God. It is a vocation that requires living according to the Evangelical Counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience,” the Angolan SVD Bishop said.In his September 15 homily, the Local Ordinary of Benguela Diocese, who also serves as the President of the Episcopal Commission for Culture and Social Communications of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) reminded Consecrated persons that Religious Life cannot avoid the cross, which symbolizes love and total dedication to the person of Jesus Christ. “Religious vocation is a call to follow Christ fully, which includes suffering, renunciation, and sacrifice. Consecrated life is an expression of unconditional love and selfless service, not a pursuit of personal well-being,” he said. “The cross is an integral part of following Christ. Consecrated persons are called to live the cross of Christ, sacrificing their own desires and ambitions to serve others and God,” Bishop Jaca said.
During the Holy Mass, where Sr. Georgina N. Seculo, Sr. Elisa S. Gonçalves, and Sr. Mariana J. Feliciana made their Perpetual Profession, Bishop Jaca said that Religious Life is not about personal fulfillment. “Consecrated life is not merely a path for personal achievement but an act of total surrender to God. It is a vocation that requires living according to the Evangelical Counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience,” the Angolan SVD Bishop said.In his September 15 homily, the Local Ordinary of Benguela Diocese, who also serves as the President of the Episcopal Commission for Culture and Social Communications of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) reminded Consecrated persons that Religious Life cannot avoid the cross, which symbolizes love and total dedication to the person of Jesus Christ.
“Religious vocation is a call to follow Christ fully, which includes suffering, renunciation, and sacrifice. Consecrated life is an expression of unconditional love and selfless service, not a pursuit of personal well-being,” he said. “The cross is an integral part of following Christ. Consecrated persons are called to live the cross of Christ, sacrificing their own desires and ambitions to serve others and God,” Bishop Jaca said.
