On February 2nd, 2023, Mgr William Shomali, General Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate, presided over a Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, in the Pro-Cathedral of the Patriarchate.
This day was established by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1997 on Candlemas day, to symbolize consecrated life as lights shining over the world.
In his homily, Mgr Shomali called those who are consecrated people “who have experienced Jesus as a precious treasure that can be acquired by selling all one’s possessions, and who have experienced the beauty of the covenant with God. Brothers and Sisters,” he later added, “today, we are accompanied by our mother, the first consecrated Virgin. Let her lead your steps. And to her we say, O Virgin of Virgins, pray for all the consecrated men and women of the Holy Land, especially you who are gathered here today to renew your self-offering, joyfully and freely.”
Cécile Leca