EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION
of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
and of Thanksgiving for the gift of consecrated life

The three texts of meditation, which are on the themes of vocation-consecration, communion-ecumenism, and mission-witness-martyrdom, may be inserted into the proposed celebrations.

With suitable adaptations, the celebration of these moments may be lived in communities of consecrated life, in diverse institutes, in the diocese and at the national level.

The proposed indications are not binding but are offered as a help with a view towards community celebration. Suitable commemorations will be prepared and celebrated by consecrated persons, with booklets which are adapted to their own culture and language. The Conferences of Major Superiors of men and of women at the national level or the Commission for Consecrated Life in the various dioceses may help with these.

It is appropriate that these moments of preparation be lived by all consecrated persons, in communion with the local church and in the presence of the Bishop or his delegates, or with the Parish Priests and the Superiors of the various Institutes. The celebrations should also include the presence of the faithful, in such a way that the meaning of the consecrated life within the People of God be manifested.

In Rome, the Jubilee of February 2nd  will be preceded by three days of preparation.

Sunday evening, January 30th, the individual communities are invited to live the Vespers celebration as a preparation for the gift of grace in which the Church calls them to participate through the experience of the Jubilee.

On the afternoon of January 31st, in the Paul VI Hall, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, in collaboration with the Union of Superiors General (USG), the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), and the World Conference of Secular Institutes (CMIS), will organise a great act of prayer and of testimony as a "Path of Light", "Walking in the Light" (cfr VC, 40) in the pasqual mystery, lived in the Church by the consecrated life.

At the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the First of February will be totally dedicated to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in thanksgiving for the great gift given to the church and the world in the Incarnation of the Word. "He, who became incarnate in the womb of Mary twenty centuries ago, continues to offer himself to humanity as a spring of divine life" (Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 55).

The 2nd of February, as they surround the Holy Father, consecrated persons will solemnly celebrate the Jubilee in St Peter's Basilica. The offerings from the communities of the world will also be presented by the Presidents of the Conferences of Consecrated Life at that time (cfr App. II).

Rome, 8 September 1999, on the occasion of the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary.

Eduardo Card. Martinez Somalo
Prefect

 Piergiorgio Silvano Nesti, C.P.
Secretary