The day of the consecrated life was celebrated on February 2 in the Holy Land. In Jerusalem and in Nazareth lay and religious from around the world gathered to pray together.
“To be consecrated exclusively to the Lord and be a witness of God’s love and mercy to all”: these were the words pronounced by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Mons. Fouad Twal, for the day for Consecrated Life on January 2.
Gethsemane was the site chosen for the celebration.
In the morning, a procession took place in the Garden of Olives.
These are religious and consecrated people from all over the world, attracted by a great love for the Holy Land. During the Jubilee of Mercy, they crossed the Holy Door of the Basilica to attend the celebration presided over by the Patriarch, along with the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Apostolic Nuncio Mons. Giuseppe Lazzarotto, as well as several representatives of different religious communities and consecrated lay people.
The first task is certainly the prayer which here, in the Holy Land and in the Redemption Places, acquires a special flavor, because it has a specific mission.