At a Mass in Southwark Cathedral to celebrate the World Day or Prayer for Consecrated Life (2 February), Bishop Patrick Lynch said that religious men and women in the Archdiocese of Southwark had led the way in “educating our young people, caring for our elderly and the sick and serving the poor.”
The bishop’s first prayer was “one of deep gratitude for all that you are and all that you have done over many years.”
Secondly, he prayed that all religious “’wake up the world’ to God’s love and God’s presence through the witness of your prayer….community life and …love and service to those in need especially the poor.”
Finally, he said that “at a time when many congregations are facing the challenge of decreasing numbers,” his prayer was that “you will look to the future with hope.”
Archbishop Peter Smith will celebrate Mass for the religious in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton today.
