A Reflection for World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

Word Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated on Thursday, February 23 and in parishes this coming weekend. The Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist share their secret in their reflection. 
  “Sister, will you pray for me?” We Sisters get many, many prayer requests wherever we go: the grocery store, the airport, pumping gas. Many people take it for granted that the Sisters have a direct line to God and will obtain speedy answers!

Why are Sisters’ prayers so sought after? They say the Sisters radiate joy – but where does that joy come from? Supernatural joy stems from the firm knowledge that God is with us. Our secret is trust. Trust in God permeates everything we are and do. The very basis of religious life – the evangelical counsels of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience – require deep, radical trust.

In living the vow of Poverty, we entrust our material well-being into His providential hands and discover wondrously that we never lack for anything!
In Chastity we pledge to rely on His spousal love rather than that of an earthly husband, and in response He bestows spiritual fruitfulness that flows out readily for others. 

We trustingly place our future into His hands through the vow of Obedience, and He places within us a peace and spiritual security this world cannot take away.

If you find yourself attracted to the Sisters’ joy – the joy that always springs from trust! – then He is also calling you to this joy and a deeper confidence in Him. He is delighted with your every attempt to believe in and rely on Him. Be encouraged! God is forever faithful.