Scottish Catholic Observer

Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow celebrated a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving of the Consecrated Life at Blessed John Duns Scotus Church on Wednesday February 9.

The archbishop joined priests and deacons from across the archdiocese to pay tribute to the 32 religious orders and congregations working in Glasgow.

Representatives of the orders and congregations were present at the Mass for religious, which included the renewal of religious vows.

Religious life

The archbishop spoke in his homily about the long history of religious orders in the archdiocese and the vitally important role they play in the life of the Church.

“The wealth of the religious families that serve the Church, the variety of their charisms and the effect of their activity are truly remarkable, and on a day like this, having taken account of them even so briefly, we are inspired to thank God for His graces,” Archbishop Conti said. “Lest any of you think that you have been missed out, let me describe your variety and service in a different way by thanking all of you who are involved in education; in pastoral work; in the care of the sick and the elderly; in the proclamation of the Gospel; the fostering of devotions and ensuring through the integrity of your professional lives the evangelisation of our culture.

“I thank all of you in whichever religious family you have been formed for the prayer you raise at the heart of the Church.”

Papal message

The archbishop also took time to reflect on Pope Benedict XVI’s words in his homily for the Day for Consecrated Life: “Be assiduous listeners of the Word, because all wisdom in life is born of the Word of the Lord! Be scrutinisers of the Word, through Lectio Divina, because consecrated life is itself born from listening to the Word of God and accepting the Gospel as its norm of life. To follow the chaste, poor and obedient Christ is to provide a living ‘exegesis’ of the Word of God.”

“I would like as your bishop to echo those words of the Holy Father, taking my inspiration from them,” Archbishop Conti said. “Since most of you live in community then Lectio Divina, which implies togetherness in reading, in reflection, and in prayerful contemplation of the Word of God, is most apt for holding you together as communities, as well as in refreshing your commitment and illuminating your charisms.”

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Pic: Paul McSherry