Thank you, Lord, for the gift of consecrated life!

Yesterday, 2 February 2026, 5,500 priests, religious and consecrated persons gathered in St Peter's Basilica in Rome. On the occasion of World Day for Consecrated Life, Pope Leo XIV presided over a beautiful ceremony and called on them to bear witness to God's presence always and everywhere.

Established by John Paul II in 1997, this Day celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. Why on Candlemas? This commemoration of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple by Mary and Joseph ‘also helps us to enter into the mystery of consecrated life,’ as indicated on the Vatican News website, recalling the words of John Paul II on this occasion. ‘In the Gospel scene, the mystery of Jesus, the Consecrated One of the Father, who came into the world to fulfil his will, is revealed.’ The presentation of Jesus in the Temple is ‘an eloquent icon of the total gift of self for all those who have been called to reproduce in the Church and in the world, through the evangelical counsels, “the characteristic features of Jesus, chaste, poor and obedient”.’

The objectives of this day are to highlight the richness of consecrated life and to invite people to prayer. Together, let us give thanks to God for the gift of consecrated life!

Read the Pope's words