During the Holy Mass, where Sr. Georgina N. Seculo, Sr. Elisa S. Gonçalves, and Sr. Mariana J. Feliciana made their Perpetual Profession, Bishop Jaca said that Religious Life is not about personal fulfillment.
“Consecrated life is not merely a path for personal achievement but an act of total surrender to God. It is a vocation that requires living according to the Evangelical Counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience,” the Angolan SVD Bishop said.
In his September 15 homily, the Local Ordinary of Benguela Diocese, who also serves as the President of the Episcopal Commission for Culture and Social Communications of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) reminded Consecrated persons that Religious Life cannot avoid the cross, which symbolizes love and total dedication to the person of Jesus Christ.
“Religious vocation is a call to follow Christ fully, which includes suffering, renunciation, and sacrifice. Consecrated life is an expression of unconditional love and selfless service, not a pursuit of personal well-being,” he said.
“The cross is an integral part of following Christ. Consecrated persons are called to live the cross of Christ, sacrificing their own desires and ambitions to serve others and God,” Bishop Jaca said.
Women and men Religious, he went on to say, “must live their vocation wholeheartedly, without expecting material rewards or privileges.”
He also encouraged the Consecrated to found their life on love, and explained, “This love is what guides Religious Life, helping to build strong communities and reflecting the essence of the vocation.”
“Even in times of difficulty and trial, divine grace sustains and strengthens the Consecrated. Religious Life is upheld by God, and constant prayer is the source of strength to live out the commitments made,” Bishop Jaca said.
He emphasized the lifelong commitment of Consecrated persons, saying, “The path of Religious Life is a continuous effort to distance oneself from sin and live solely for God. It is a journey in search of holiness, where community life, prayer, and sharing are essential.”
“The role of religion is to be visible signs of God’s love, working for the expansion of the Kingdom and the redemption of the world. Every act of sacrifice and service must align with Christ's mission and the building of the Church,” the Angolan SVD Bishop further said September 15.
