00:00There are three things that characterize the consecrated life: prayer, silence, and domestic work.
00:10From among us the baptized, the Lord calls some in a special way to consecrate their lives fully to Him.
00:33And they do so by giving their entire existence.
00:39For centuries the Church has called consecrated men and women to integrate into communities,
00:50That is, men and women who live by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience,
00:57which is nothing other than the total surrender of one's love to God and service to the community.
01:05In our church there are many charisms, many ways of living this consecration,
01:13from those who withdraw from the world,
01:16such as those who are involved in the responsibilities and tasks of society.
01:22There are consecrated men and women who dedicate themselves to education,
01:27who are dedicated to caring for the sick,
01:30who go on missions abroad,
01:33or that are simply found in the silence of everyday life.
01:39That is to consecrate oneself fully to the Lord.
01:42But there are also three things that characterize the consecrated life,
01:47prayer, silence, and domestic or artisanal work.
01:55In other words, only in silence can there be a sincere dialogue with God and with our brothers and sisters.
02:02Prayer is the greatest and most beautiful task of every consecrated person,
02:08but also the everyday work.
02:11Following the rule of Saint Benedict, one must pray and one must work.
02:17A prayer that does not allow us to dedicate ourselves to the service of others can be reduced to a mere feeling.
02:26but also when prayer is lacking at work,
02:30Work is tiring and soon makes us abandon it.
02:34Today in the church we need more men and women who are fully consecrated to God
02:42and be a sign of the vocation of every human being who is called to eternity,
02:49that is, to live in heaven.
02:51Thank you!
02:53Thank you!
02:55Thank you!
03:25Thank you!
