World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

The Catholic Church is holding its annual celebration of World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life today (2 February), and parishes are commemorating the event over the weekend of 1-2 February. This event is a special time for individual parishes to celebrate the gift of consecrated life and pray for men and women discerning a consecrated vocation with the global Catholic Church.

Instituted by Saint John Paul II in 1997, World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day, which commemorates through the blessing and lighting of candles that Christ is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.

Related documents:

The Vatican: Message of the Holy Father John Paul II for the I World Day For Consecrated Life

USCCB: "Joyful hope marks the life of a person consecrated to God," says Bishop Boyea

Related media report:

Catholic News Agency: 5 things to know about the World Day for Consecrated Life

"How Brightly Shines the Morning Star"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of The Choir of Keble College, Oxford, presenting "How Brightly Shines the Morning Star":

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord  The assigned readings are Malachi 3:1-4, Hebrews 2:14-18, and Luke 2:22-40.The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 24 (Psalm 24:7-10).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3anMiXb3uI

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

    "Now, Master, you may let your servant go 
        in peace, according to your word,
    for my eyes have seen your salvation,
        which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
    a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
        and glory for your people Israel."

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted - and you yourself a sword will pierce - so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Perspectives on the Presentation - A Homily for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (1 FEB 25)

Benedictine College: This Sunday, God Returns to His Temple - You; 5 Takeaways From the Presentation (29 JAN 25)

Word on Fire: God Returns to His Temple (Cycle C * Presentation of the Lord * Ordinary Time) 

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: Presenting the present (31 JAN 25)

The Pilot: Echoes: Deacon Greg Kandra: Scripture Reflection for Feb. 2, 2025, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (29 JAN 25)

Aleteia: Fr. Michael Rennier: 'Candlemas Day' helps us see that Christ is truly Light (1 FEB 25)

Aleteia: Ellen Mady: Why it's important (especially today) that Anna was from the Tribe of Asher (1 SEP 18)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing Sunday afternoon family outings.

John Touhey on Ways to Lower Stress

"'Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself,' Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew. Yet trying not to worry is often extremely difficult, and sometimes feels impossible. That is especially true during times when our news feeds seem to be full of tragedy, war, violence, and uncertainty."

In a recent commentary, writer John Touhey reflected on ways one can effectively respond to stress (including prayer, physical activity, and taking a break)

To access his complete essay, please visit:

Aleteia: John Touhey: How to deal with stress when events have you worried (2 FEB 25)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Jesus is 'a light for revelation to the Gentiles.' Like the sun that rises, this child will redeem the world from the darkness of evil, pain, and death. We greatly need this light, even today! (Lk 2, 22-40)" - Pope Francis

Bobby Rydell: "Volare"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Bobby Rydell presenting "Volare":

On St. Thomas Aquinas Today and Other Catholic-related Topics

A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of Catholic-related subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit:

The Catholic Thing: A Confession (1 FEB 25)

Our Sunday Visitor: David Henrie's 3 simple rules for the Rosary (October 2024)

What We Need Now: Making Christianity Weird Again (28 JAN 25)

Aleteia: Philip Kosloski: Counteract your anger by being kind to more people (31 JAN 25)

National Catholic Register: 7 Things Your Children's School Can Do to Promote Its Catholic Identity (28 JAN 25)

The Catholic Thing: The Angelic Doctor Today (28 JAN 25)

Catholic Culture: No, your parish is not 'vibrant' (4 SEP 24)

Aleteia: Philip Kosloski: The surprisingly Catholic origins of Groundhog Day (29 JAN 25)

Belated Birthday Blessings, Becky!!!

Belated Birthday greetings to sister-in-law Becky, wife of brother Mark, who recently celebrated her birthday. May each day of the coming year be richly blessed!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You have planned for us during the month of February.

Fr. Paul Colloton, OSFS, on Living the de Sales Message

"Blessed Louis Brisson, OSFS, founder of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales,, preached:

'We strive to imitate the life of St. Francis de Sales; his sentiments, his ideas, his way of acting, to grasp his entire soul and give it form through us. That is our task: that is our duty' (Chapter 1896: 2-7)

"Being only one week after celebrating the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, these words serve as a good reminder about what it takes to follow our patron's lesson/challenge to 'Live+Jesus.'

"We don't just reflect on Francis de Sales' words to feel good about ourselves. We learn from them so they can help us know how to live his words. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Father Paul Colloton, OSFS (Superior, De Sales Centre Oblate Residence, Childs, MD), reflected on some of the ways the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales may be applied in one's life.

To access Fr. Colloton's complete reflection, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Salesian Reflection: Living de Sales (30 JAN 25)

Reflection Starter from St. John Bosco

"If one is to do good, he must have a little courage, be ready for sacrifice, deal affably with all and never slight anybody. By following this method I have always had significant success, in fact, marvelous success." - Saint John Bosco