In 1997, John Paul II called for consecrated life to be promoted throughout the universal Church. He declared February 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, to be observed as World Day for Consecrated Life (WDCL). In the United States, when February 2 is not on a Sunday, we celebrate on the Sunday after the Presentation. 

The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life invites all the Church to reflect on the role of Consecrated Life within the Christian community. Those who choose to live a consecrated life do so for the sake of the gospel.  This year’s WDCL theme is “Here I am, send me!“

Some Christian women and men respond to God’s call to become followers of Jesus through profession of vows and a life dedicated to prayer and service. They live out the consecrated life in different ways. Religious sisters, nuns, brothers, religious priests, and monks consecrate their lives through their profession of the evangelical vows and live as part of a community. Single lay people may choose to be consecrated virgins and make private vows to the local bishop as they live out their vocation in various walks of life. Secular institutes are another form of living the consecrated life as single people. Those  who become followers of Jesus through the consecrated life bless the Church. Below are some resources that can be used in parishes, grammar schools, and high schools. The materials posted are provided by the National Coalition for Church Vocations and are intended to assist preachers, teachers, catechists, and other ministers. By fostering a culture of vocations, the Church is enriched. May these materials facilitate your local celebration.

To download the entire kit (15 pages), click on the preferred language:  ENGLISH   SPANISH

The individual files start on the following pages:

PARISH RESOURCES
Resource Kit Introduction	page 1
Bulletin announcements	page 11
General Intercessions	page 6
Suggested Activities	page 7
Prayer Service booklet	page 8
Prayer for Vocations (in card format – 4 to a page)	page 10
Poster outline (to be filled in)	page 14
Liturgy Planning Guide	page 2
Homily notes	page 4
Additional Resources	page 12
World Day for Consecrated Life clip art	page 13
Vocation Awareness dates for 2016- 2018	page 15

The USA Council of Serra International would like to also thank Mr. Frank J. Zolvinski M.A., Coordinator of Religious Education and Dr. Kristopher W. Seaman, Director: Office of Worship/Diocesan Music for Diocese of Gary, IN for their time and thoughtful assistance in preparing these materials for our celebration National Vocation Awareness Week. The USA Council of Serra International Vocations Committee is able to prepare and provide this planning kit to dioceses, parishes, schools, religious congregations, and Serra clubs at no cost through a generous grant from the Bishop Britt Vocation Fund. Should you want to insure our ability to continue this program at no cost please consider a gift to the Bishop Britt Vocation Fund. For more information please contact the USA Council of Serra International 1-888-777-6681. ©2015 USA Council of Serra International