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ARCHDIOCESE of CINCINNATI MARKS YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE CALLED BY POPE FRANCIS
RADIO MARIA USA TO BROADCAST OPENING MASS “LIVE” AT 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, FROM EMMANUEL CHURCH IN DAYTON, OHIO
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati, in union with the Catholic Church around the world, will celebrate members of religious orders and others in consecrated life during the Year of Consecrated Life called by Pope Francis from Nov. 30, 2014 to Feb. 2, 2016.
The theme for the celebration in the Archdiocese, reflecting the Pope’s goals for the Year, is “Celebrating the Past, Serving in the Present, Embracing the Future.”
“Each of us has a call from God, and discovering God’s call for us will bring joy to our life,” said the Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati. “Religious life / consecrated life is a viable option.”
The objectives he has approved for the Archdiocesan observance of the Year are to:
- increase the visibility of religious life / consecrated life;
- express appreciation;
- highlight the joy experienced in this vocational choice;
- educate about religious life / consecrated life.
“The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has a long and rich history of welcoming religious communities,” Archbishop Schnurr said, noting as examples that the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are celebrating 175 years and the Poor Clare Sisters 25 years in the Archdiocese in 2015.
“Today 34 different Congregations of women and 12 different Congregations of brothers and priests minister in the Archdiocese – approximately 226 priests, 114 brothers, and 781 sisters. We are also blessed with the presence of Secular Institutes, public (Regnum Christi) and private associations (Children of Mary) of the faithful, and a Consecrated Virgin Living in the World. All of those are examples of the consecrated life.”
In addition to parish-wide observances, there will be two Archdiocesan events to mark the Year of Consecrated Life. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer will preside at the opening Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Emmanuel Church in Dayton which will be broadcast LIVE on Radio Maria USA. Archbishop Schnurr will preside at the closing Mass at 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 38th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with almost 500,000 Catholics, and has the sixth largest network of Catholic schools in terms of enrollment. The 19-county territory includes 213 parishes and 113 Catholic primary and secondary schools.
