As the World Day for Consecrated Life approaches, OSV News sat down for a talk with Fr. Jorge Torres, executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life And Vocations. The interview discussed the importance and benefits of vocations, as well as the connection between consecrated life and the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
When asked about trends in US adults discerning consecrated life, Fr. Torres noted that the average age of those coming to consecrated life is higher than in years past. He described men and women who have experienced secular life, a career, homeownership, and perhaps even an engagement that has broken. These experiences bring a different, more mature perspective to discernment.
While he lamented that the Church does not see the same numbers discerning consecrated life as in years past, he noted the high quality of those who are. He said these men and women not only inspire him, but challenge him to reexamine his own responses to the Lord’s call day to day.
Fr. Torres explained that the riches of consecrated life are different for each community, as they are determined by its charism. For example: Those who serve the poor serve Jesus in the infirm, while those who are in perpetual adoration see Jesus in the Eucharist. He went on to equate the consecrated life the Shema (a central Jewish prayer):
“Remember, O Israel, the Lord, your God; love him with all your strength, with all your might, with all your heart.” (Dt 6:4)
He advised those who are considering consecrated life to pray more often and to take up the “lectio divina” (the method of immersion in the Scriptures). He also emphasized the importance of spending time with members of the religious community with which they are discerning a vocation.
On the topic of the connection between the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day for Consecrated Life, Fr. Torres explained that both are celebrated on the same day, because Jesus Christ was also consecrated at the Presentation.
“And so they (those in consecrated life) can also rejoice that the genesis of their consecration is when Our Lady walked into the temple and Simeon welcomed her. … And so much was said at that moment: “A sword will pierce your heart” (Lk 2:35). Certainly for consecrated life, I’m sure that they know which sword has pierced their heart. And we’re grateful for their witness.”
