Consecrated Persons in ACDO Renew Their Vows

Cagayan de Oro City – Today, 2nd of February 2025, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Aside from this, today as well is the World Day of Consecrated Persons. In the spirit of faith, hope and charity, the consecrated persons in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO) were gathered today at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Pueblo, Cagayan de Oro City to renew their religious consecration to the Lord.

This morning, Ms. Maria Christian Lopez gave a talk on “Rediscovering my Joy as Consecrated Person.” In her presentation, she highlighted the value of joy as something indispensable in a life of a Christian, and much more to a consecrated person. She added that true joy can only be found in God.

        In the afternoon, Fr. Nathaniel Lerio, SSJV also presented a topic on “Pathways of Hope in Light of the Synod on Synodality.” Centering on this theme, he emphasized that as consecrated persons, they are ought to be bearers of hope in a world engulfed by darkness.

To culminate this day’s gathering, Most Rev. Jose Araneta Cabantan III, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, presided over the eucharistic celebration at exactly 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Consecrated persons including the lay faithful joined together in lighting their candles, while at the same time, praising God and thanking Him for the gift of consecrated persons He has lavished the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

This day’s event signals that just like Mary and Joseph who presented the Lord Jesus in the temple, so too, consecrated persons are united with them in offering their lives in a spirit of oblation and sacrifice.