The World Day of Consecrated Life takes place in an atmosphere of celebration, during which prayers planned for consecrated vows are held in parishes. – In parishes with people of consecrated life: nuns, monks, virgins and consecrated widows, it would be advisable for them to renew their vows after the homily – said Fr. Monsignor Tomasz Rusiecki, episcopal vicar for consecrated life.
Consecrated vows will include, among others: hermit, widower, nuns and virgins
For example, the Cathedral Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kielce is preparing for such an event. At the beginning of February, nuns, monks, widows and consecrated virgins will meet there to renew their promises. February 3 is usually the day of diocesan celebrations – we learn from ekai.pl.
The Catholic Information Agency emphasizes that the group of consecrated people also includes hermits. In the basilica of the Kielce diocese, in addition to nuns, monks, virgins and widows, one consecrated widower and one hermit will also renew their vows. The mass will start at 11.00.
Father Rusiecki draws attention to the wealth of individual forms of consecrated life in the Kielce diocese, including the presence and service of 26 consecrated widows, one widower, six consecrated virgins, and one hermit.
– we read. – Currently, two virgins and four widows are preparing. These radical forms of consecrated life are needed and enrich the Church, added Rusiecki, quoted by ekai.pl.
Day of Consecrated Life in Poland. Preparations are underway
Preparations for the ceremony are also underway in the Lublin Archcathedral. “The Day of Consecrated Life – established by Pope John Paul II in 1997 – is, as always, an opportunity to reflect more deeply on the gift of life dedicated to God, and at the same time to thank people of consecrated life for their dedication to God and brothers in daily service according to their charisms,” it was written on the cathedral website.
We wrote in February last year that the number of consecrated virgins in Poland is increasing. At that time, it was estimated that there were 398 consecrated virgins living in our country. For comparison, in December 2021 there were 362 and in December 2019 – 322.
Consecrated wedding – what does it look like? What conditions must be met?
What is the entire consecrated wedding procedure like? The bishop decides whether a given person can join it. This person must publicly take vows of chastity, for which he or she prepares for a period of two to even four years. All preparations take place under the supervision of a spiritual guide. On the day of taking the vows, a ring is placed on the finger of a consecrated virgin – as a symbol of the “marriage with Christ”. After the ceremony, the person must lead a celibate life. The first virgin consecrated in Poland was Zofia Prochownik. She took her vows in 1991.
The interested people often talk about how consecrated virgins live. In an interview with Wirtualna Polska, for example, Agnieszka Cichowicz from Bydgoszcz spoke. He underwent the ceremony of “marriage with Jesus” about six years ago. – I don’t hide it and if I feel it’s important in a given situation, I say who I am – she confessed.
I made a conscious decision to give up being a wife and mother, but I felt that I knew who I was doing it for – Jesus (…)
– she claimed. When someone asks her about her husband, she answers directly: “(…) My husband is Jesus. Straight up.” In October 2023, Mrs. Agnieszka from the parish of Divine Mercy in Żary became a consecrated virgin.
This decision results from my relationship with the Lord Jesus, which I have been developing since childhood. It started with reading the Holy Scripture and being delighted with His love. I gradually matured to the fact that my path to closeness with God would not be marriage, but a life of singleness.
– she told the portal niedziela.pl
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
