In 2013, Pope Francis declared that a Year of Consecrated Life be celebrated throughout the world. The US Conference of Bishops is coordinating the commemoration of this special year.  Plans include “Days with Religious,” a series of initiatives and resources to help people learn about the consecrated life of religious men and women.  Activities will focus on sharing experiences of prayer, service and community life with those living consecrated life.

The Year of Consecrated Life will begin on the First Sunday of Advent, the weekend of November 29, 2014, and end on February 2, 2016, the World Day of Consecrated life.

Catholics are invited to join activities that will be promoted in collaboration with the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR), the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM).

The events planned are as follows:

• February 8, 2015:  Religious Open House.  Events will be coordinated to also celebrate the World Meeting of Families to take place in Philadelphia and will include tours, open houses, receptions, family activities, and presentations on the history of religious communities at convents, abbeys, monasteries and religious houses.
• Summer 2015: Day of Mission and Service with Religious.  Events will include joining religious in their ministries or special service projects, such as assisting the elderly, ministering to the poor and homeless, and caring for the less fortunate.
• September 13, 20015:  Day of Prayer with Religious. Events will include vespers, rosary or holy hours in convents, monasteries, religious houses, parishes and churches.  Prayer intentions, prayer cards, a video on consecrated life and other resources are available on the USCCB website.

Additional resources can be found at:

• National Catholic Vocation Conference
• National Catholic Sisters Week
• LCWR president-elect Marcia Allen, CSJ participated in a press conference on October 1, 2014 to announce the plans for the Days with Religious.  A video recording of the event is available on the USCCB website.