Reflecting on consecrated life

An interview with
Sister Paula Kelleher, SSJ

Why is the feast of the Presentation a special day for vowed religious?

On Feb. 2, many communities remember the celebrations connected with the feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple. Some recall all the ceremonies connected with the joys of receiving the holy habit, and the first time a family member used the unfamiliar term Brother or Sister to speak in ordinary conversation with us. Others might recall with holy wonder the amazement of pronouncing first vows and the profound and inexplicable joy of pronouncing final vows.
All of us now have a sense of gratitude for St. John Paul II, and his determination to elevate Feb. 2 to a time of remembrance for all members of consecrated life. While the feast of the Presentation is now the “forever” day to remember all members of consecrated life, whatever day is particular to each community is also special.

Is consecrated life disappearing from our world?

One of the wonders of consecrated life is the fact that the essence of consecrated life remains, but the change in the ministry of the members of each branch of consecrated life is simply because our ministries are developmental.  Charism is grace, and grace flows from charism. Grace never dies. All forms of consecrated life will remain but the way of living out each type will continue to change because life is always changing. Let us say farewell to those who claim that consecrated life in any form is ready for burial. Consecrated life will live forever. We have no way of knowing what form it will take but we do know the grace of the charism will never die.

Does the understanding of charism continue to evolve?

The Second Vatican Council approved many things and there was much discussion about the term charism and the surrounding implementation of this old but ever-new concept of grace. Cardinal Leo Joseph Suenens reintroduced the term charism in his presentations on consecrated life at the council. We need to pick up on the angst of the time and enfold this into the works of Vatican II and the resistance Cardinal Suenens faced when he asked his colleagues to embrace the changes he suggested to consecrated life.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the following forms of consecrated life: monasticism, religious life, secular institutes, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virgins, consecrated widows and hermits.
When St. John Paul II, declared that the Sunday closest to Feb. 2 was to be observed as the day to remember consecrated life, he never focused on one form because he knew that religious life had the right and the responsibility to develop on its own terms and on the ever-developing needs of the time.
Perhaps someday there will be articles written about each form of consecrated life. And there are more groups waiting for recognition and in due time others will be added.
How has this reflection on consecrated life affected you personally?

These brief responses have been some of the most difficult that I have ever written. The best preparation was the time I spent in contemplative prayer. I have struggled with the permanency of religious life as it is known today and grieved over the life I knew and loved. I learned a lot about the origins of the grace of charisms expressed by many communities. I realize that, while we may expand a charism, God is under no obligation to repeat a particular charism. People can be cookie cutters; God is always original. My concern about the demise of consecrated life has dissipated. Was this grace a renewal of my original baptismal grace or a reinforcement of the grace of my final profession? Was this a result of prayer and study of all things connected with consecrated life?  Is this a partial showing of the graces of consecrated life, the life I live and love or is this a partial completion of God’s plan for me? Who knows?

Is there a local community that inspired you from your local research?

While reading about the charisms of the communities, I developed a wonderful friendship (spiritual relationship?) with several founders and foundresses. I think it is important to mention that a foundress of a local community who has been recently canonized since I began this reflection on charisms is St. Anne Marie Rivier, of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. For many reasons I have developed a special devotion to St. Anne Marie Rivier, and someday I will write an article on my relationship with her.
This year, on Feb. 2, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary will rejoice in a unique way. While many communities will recall their entrance day ceremonies as I mentioned earlier, the Presentation of Mary Sisters will delight in this simple fact that their foundress will always be front and center in any celebrations of the World Day of Consecrated Life. My vocabulary does not have the combination of words necessary to describe the unlimited joy of this vibrant community. I pray that many of us will rejoice with the Presentation of Mary Sisters and ask them to pray for the rest of us, for the grace of perseverance in consecrated life. All of us have been taught and believe that when one member is remembered, all members are exalted – and the people shouted, “Amen!”
 
Do you hope to continue to study and reflect on consecrated life in our diocese?
I
 hope that this is just the initial part of a reflection on all the communities and the charisms of these communities that at one time lived and/or worked within the Diocese of Worcester. Be patient. There is more to come.


– Sister Paul A. Kelleher is a professed member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield and has served as a teacher, school administrator, pastoral associate, hospital chaplain and as episcopal liaison to the religious in the Diocese of Worcester, among other ministries. She took the name Sister John David when she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Sept. 15, 1953, and will celebrate her 62nd anniversary of final vows in August.

PHOTO: CNS photo | Paul Haring
Sister Paula has developed a devotion to Anne Marie Rivier, foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, shown (top left) on a banner at St. Peter’s Basilica. Anne Marie Rivier was among 10 people canonized May 15, 2022, at a Mass by Pope Francis. Also pictured is Anna Maria Rubatto, foundress of the Capuchin Sisters of Mother Rubatto.