Gather

Welcome to our gathering as we mark the Jubilee for Consecrated Life, celebrated nationally on this day (2 Feb 2025), the World Day for Consecrated Life, and celebrated universally in Rome in 8 - 9 October 2025.

We gather in the spirit of Jubilee with this song, Journey of Faith, written for CRA for the occasion.

We begin by asking God’s blessing on our journey of faith, on each of us gathered and our wider community, as well as those who have passed into eternal life. [Pause]

And so we begin: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer

Gracious and loving God,

You give us special days and seasons to attune our minds and hearts to the nuanced rhythms of our mission to bear your love to the world.

Be with us as we welcome the Jubilee for Consecrated Life and deep our awareness of your presence and calling in our lives.

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

God’s Word

A reading from the Gospel of St Luke (2:22-35, NRSV)

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
 according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

Reflection

In this Jubilee Year, themes of reconciliation and renewal, pilgrimage and hope, are prominent. Did I hear something in this Gospel reading that spoke in a transformative way to my mind and heart? Share a thought or reflection, if you wish.

[Pause and allow time for sharing, or simply resting in the word of God.]

A response to the Jubilee

The Jubilee Year allows for a variety of ways for Religious to be engaged in this special time of renewal. As a community, we are invited to focus here and now on the following opportunity for Jubilee celebration and renewal:

[Facilitator, outline the focus for discussion, having chosen this prior to the day and having taken stock of local plans in view of the universal vista.]

This segment might include:

• Information sharing

• Further prayer or reflection on a Jubilee theme

• Discussion about an upcoming event or initiative

Closing Prayer

Gracious and loving God,
We give thanks for this time together.
Deepen our sense of gratitude for your love.
Strengthen us in hope.
Comfort us in our afflictions.
Yet also disturb our complacencies.
That we may be bearers of true hope, reconciliation, freedom, justice. Amen.

Or: Close with the official Jubilee Prayer

Further resources

Official Jubilee Liturgical Handbook, Prayer & Hymn

CRA Jubilee Song

CRA Jubilee Music Video on YouTube

To download this webpage as a PDF, click here