Rome: In a profound homily at the Mass for the Jubilee of Consecrated Life, Pope Leo XIV called upon thousands of religious men and women from across the globe to embrace their vocation as living witnesses to God’s love and the promise of eternal life. The celebration, held in Rome, brought together monks, contemplatives, members of secular institutes, the Ordo Virginum, hermits, and members of new religious institutes, all participating in a pilgrimage dedicated to consecrated life. The Pope emphasized that through their commitment, consecrated persons are called to shine as prophetic signs of God’s presence in the world.
Central to Pope Leo’s reflection were the three verbs from Luke 11:9: “Ask, seek, and knock.” He explained that these words are more than instructions; they are a spiritual roadmap for those who have chosen to live a life of consecration. “Jesus invites us to confidently turn to the Father for all our needs,” the Pope said, highlighting that consecrated life is a continuous journey of dialogue, trust, and surrender to God. “To ask is to recognize that everything we have is a gift from the Lord and to give thanks. To seek is to open ourselves daily to God’s guidance in the path of holiness. To knock is to share our gifts selflessly with others, offering love and service with a pure heart.”
Pope Leo stressed that living the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience requires more than external observance it demands an interior transformation. He encouraged the pilgrims to reflect on their journey, acknowledging how God has multiplied their talents, purified their faith, and strengthened their charity. “To live the vows is to abandon oneself like a child in the arms of the Father,” he said, reminding consecrated persons that their witness is a testament to God’s primacy in life, calling them to serve as beacons of faith, hope, and love in a world often distracted by worldly attachments.
The Holy Father underscored that the mission of consecrated life extends beyond the temporal realm, pointing toward eternal realities. “Expand these actions toward the eternal horizon that transcends the realities of this world, to orient them toward the eternal Sunday where all humanity will enter into God’s rest,” he said. He cited the Second Vatican Council, which affirms in Lumen Gentium that consecrated persons are called to be “witnesses of the goods to come.” Through their prayer, sacrifice, and witness, they not only embody the Gospel in the present but illuminate the promise of God’s kingdom for all.
Concluding his homily, Pope Leo exhorted the faithful to embrace a life marked by humility, mercy, and purity of heart. “Be truly poor, meek, hungry for holiness, merciful, and pure of heart,” he urged. By living fully in God’s presence and dedicating themselves to prayer and service, consecrated persons reveal the transformative power of God’s love and provide a tangible sign of hope and grace to the wider Church. Their lives, the Pope emphasized, are a call to all Christians to recognize the eternal goods that await and to live each moment in communion with God.