Today, February 4, 2024, the meeting in preparation for the Jubilee of Consecrated Life ended in the Vatican. The day began with the Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Basilica, presided over by Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of DIVCSVA. Remembering Job's unshakable faith, the cardinal urged consecrated men and women to never lose hope.
After a short break, the meeting continued in the New Synod Hall. In a meditative atmosphere, the two moderators, Anne Chapell, SSCJ and Anne Marie Grapton, S.P., narrated the fruits harvested in these intense days of reflection, sharing and pilgrimage. Various artistic expressions enriched the moment, interpreting the lived experience with creativity. A summary drawing presented the five most heartfelt attitudes among consecrated people: thanking, being humble, asking for faith and love, being joyful, inspiring with one's testimony, being presence.
Sr. Simona Brambilla, Secretary of DIVCSVA, in her speech recalled the three verbs that characterized the previous three days of the meeting: believe, grow, walk. Verbs that involve body, mind, bowels, everything about being human. One can believe when one adheres and loves. It becomes possible to grow by embracing choices and leaving others behind. One can walk because we know how to move, to convert. Strengthened by God's loving embrace and personal conversion, we can face the path of witnessing.
In the mandate prayer, all consecrated men and women pledged to be witnesses of hope on the paths of peace once they return to their countries. The charitable efforts that emerged from this meeting ー witnessing, daring to take paths across borders, embarking on synodal journeys, converting in the spirit, being open to God's newness, being credible in proclaiming the Gospel ー outline the path of the coming months in preparation for the jubilee.
The meeting concluded in St. Peter's Square, participating in Pope Francis' long-awaited Sunday Angelus.