The lovely feast of the Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple is celebrated on February 2. On this day, we commemorate Mary’s bringing her beloved Son as an offering to the Lord.

The very act brings to mind the offering that religious sisters, brothers and priests, and indeed, all religious people make of their lives in the service of God, his people and his Church.

On this day, special celebrations are held the world over by Religious; it is their feast day, the World Day of Consecrated life. In Trinidad & Tobago, we join the world in this.

This year, the celebrations took place at the Rosary Convent in St Ann’s. This took the form of Vespers of the Feast with the homily delivered by Archbishop Gilbert.

The Archbishop reminded us of the former name of the feast “Candlemas” and all that it signified. We were to be lights of the world, a real light to the Gentiles.

Photos by Bro Marius Williams, OSB

Carmelites and Misionary Sisters of Charity engage in conversation

Archbishop Gilbert delivers the homily at Vespers at Rosary Monastery

The Mexican Sisters who serve at the Nunciature smile for the camera

Candles burn until there is nothing left, that was the way we were to give ourselves to God; even in retirement we should continue burning. He recalled to us the prophetess Anna of the Gospel of St Luke, who even in old age gave herself in the service of God.

Religious, he said must give clear witness to the radical life that we proclaim, a life that is often misunderstood yet we must be witnesses that are seen and heard. There is the perception that a religious life is a wasted one.

However, religious life continues to be important to the Church. Religious are present in many fields –  in education, nursing, social services, parish life, administration – in fact wherever there is work to be done.

The Archbishop urged us to be what we are called to be. In today’s world, parents were unwilling to let their children become religious for reasons best known to themselves. He urged us to continue to upgrade ourselves and so be ready to face the challenges that we confront.

However, even while working among the people of God and building up relationships in outside communities, we need to maintain a closeness in our own community.

He reminded us that the history of our Church in the Caribbean was closely bound to the work of Religious of different Congregations. We need to read closely the signs of the times and grow spiritually and professionally.

We must be the leaven in the dough and the light in the world, and become trained in skills needed at the present time; we must be aggressive in finding persons who were searching for God. 

The Archbishop ended his inspiring sermon, asking Religious to prepare as a body for the coming Synod in 2008, saying that our voice is lost when we spread ourselves thinly in parishes and vicariates.

It is obvious that Archbishop Gilbert appreciates greatly the work of Religious in the archdiocese and we assure him that we will continue doing all that we can in the vineyard of the Lord in which we are placed.

The evening came to a delightful conclusion when, in the cool spacious surroundings of the Rosary Convent, Sisters, Brothers, priests all joined in fraternal conversation and sharing delicious refreshments.

This coming-together goes a long way in helping us to appreciate our Church, our calling, and each other. We thank the Sisters for being such blessed hostesses.

May God continue to shower His blessings on all who were present and all who are spiritually united with us.