On the First Sunday of Advent our Holy Father, Pope Francis, opened a “Year Dedicated to the Consecrated Life.” In this year, we are to look at Consecrated Life and remember to pray for all those who have given themselves in the Consecrated Life and to pray for an increase of vocations. We also must pray for the perseverance of those who have given their lives in Consecrated Life – Sisters, Brothers and Priests.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception has always been an important date in the lives of each Little Sister of the Poor. Even in the very early days of the Congregation, it soon became the day in which each Little Sisters would renew their Vows. December 8th is also the date that St. Jeanne Jugan made her Perpetual Profession in 1854 (On this same day Pope Pius IX wrote a Papal Bull “Ineffabilis Deus” that dogmatically defined the Immaculate Conception.) The Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of the United States along with Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Each Little Sister of the Poor makes vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience and Hospitality. Here at Villa Guadalupe we renewed our vows after the homily. We figured that between the seven of us we have 263 years of Consecrated Life and service to the Elderly Poor. Of course, our eldest Sister here at Villa Guadalupe just celebrated 70 years of Consecrated Life.
We ask you to all pray for an increase of those who will dedicate themselves to Consecrated Life!
