Pope Francis sent flowers to the women religious who work in the Vatican today, to celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life, marked each February 2.
The religious were given flowers known to bloom early in spring, a symbol of “life and youth,” said the Polish archbishop who is the papal almoner, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, known as Don Corrado. The archbishop spoke of the Holy Father’s gift during a Mass he celebrated for today’s Feast of the Presentation.
Flowers “spread beauty gratuitously” and “grow upward, looking toward the Lord,” the archbishop reflected in his homily, as he invited the congregation to give their lives to God, especially through their work, their families, their joys and sorrows … just as Mary and Joseph did, “bringing to the temple their most precious treasure, their son Jesus.”
Read more:
Pope: In such a frantic world, we fail to encounter others
The papal almoner and various Vatican employees carried out the traditional Candelaria/Candlemas procession. At the end of the Mass, the prelate thanked the workers for their concrete assistance in support of the pope’s charity works for the poor and homeless.
Read more:
What you need to know about the beautiful feast of Candlemas
Read more:
Why you should think about your vocation … but not too much
And today we celebrate...