Honoring 495 Years of Religious Service
Lay Catholics and members of many religious communities that serve in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg gathered at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on November 15 to honor those celebrating milestone anniversaries of service.
Lay Catholics and members of many religious communities that serve in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg gathered at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on November 15 to honor those celebrating milestone anniversaries of service.
“I join my brother priests and deacon in welcoming you here this morning to the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle for the annual celebration of this Religious Jubilee Mass,” said Bishop Gregory Parkes. “And, in a special way, I welcome our dear sisters and fathers who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, ranging anywhere from 25 years to 70 years.”
The nine jubilarians were recognized for their service in the diocese. This year’s jubilarians have offered a combined total of 495 years of service.
“Today is certainly a day to give thanks and praise to God for calling you to religious life, to his service, but also to give thanks and praise to you for having the courage to answer yes to God's call,” said Bishop Parkes.
During the Mass, these jubilarian priests and sisters were also able to renew their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Bishop Parkes emphasized the beauty and importance of these vows in his homily.
“The evangelical counsel or vows that you profess – poverty, chastity, and obedience – stand in stark contrast to what the world today considers to be important,” Bishop Parkes said. “Poverty, chastity, and obedience in a world which seeks wealth, which seeks pleasure, and which seeks power, yet in professing, vowing, and living these evangelical counsels your personal freedom has in no way been restricted or confined or taken away from you. Rather, on the contrary, your freedom is amplified. You are never more free than when you give yourself to Jesus Christ and when you live the life in imitation of him that each of us has been called to live through our baptism.”
As part of the joyful celebration, each jubilarian was asked to stand and be recognized by name so that the congregation could join in recognizing the service of these men and women.
“Today, my dear brothers, fathers, and sisters, I say to you, thank you for your yes. Know of my gratitude and on behalf of our diocese, our gratitude for your lives and for your ministry,” Bishop Parkes concluded.
For more information about vocations in the diocese, click here.
To view photos from the Mass, click on the arrows below.
