Offices

Office for Consecrated Life

So it is that in accordance with the Divine Plan a wonderful variety of religious communities has grown up which has made it easier for the church … to be equipped for every good work and ready for the work of the ministry—the building up of the Body of Christ. —
Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life Perfectae Caritatis, no. 1

“National Vocation

Awareness Week

will be celebrated

in our country

November 1-7, 2020

Please ask Our Lord for more dedicated, holy priests, deacons and

consecrated men and women.

“May they be inspired by Jesus Christ,

supported by our faith community,

and respond generously to God’s gift of a vocation.”

Resources to aid in discernment to the

Consecrated Life:

Pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life

“In the hidden recesses of the human heart, the grace of a Vocation takes the form of a dialogue. It is a dialogue between Jesus Christ and an individual in which a personal invitation is given. Jesus calls the person by name and says: ‘Come.’ This call, this mysterious inner voice of Christ, is heard most clearly in silence and prayer. With a burning heart, in conversation with the Lord, perhaps some of you have noticed that Jesus is asking more of you” (Pope Saint John Paul II).

God our Father,
Who wills that all men be saved
And come to the knowledge of Your Truth:
We beg you to send
Laborers into Your harvest,
And grant them grace to speak Your Word
With all boldness; so that Your Word
May spread and be glorified,
And all nations may know You,
The only God, and Him whom You have sent,
Jesus Christ your Son, Our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady, Queen of the Americas,
Pray for us.

MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS

Eternal Rest Grant Unto To Them O Lord, and let Perpetual Light Shine upon Them; may they Rest in Peace. AMEN!

HolySouls

How can we help the Poor Souls in Purgatory?

There are many ways, all of which involve prayer and sacrifice. But, for today, I will mention only two very simple ways that we can assist the Poor Souls.

First, we can offer Holy Mass for them. The Church affirms that the Eucharist is the “Source and Summit” of our Faith. The Mass is the highest form of prayer. During the Mass the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary is “re-presented.” That means it is as if we are present right there at the foot of the Cross with  Our Lady and St. John. This is why it is so important that we pay attention and pray during the Mass. We can bring our own petitions to Lord at the very moment of his greatest act of love. It is a praiseworthy tradition to offer the Mass (and one’s reception of Holy Communion) for the intentions of the Poor Souls in Purgatory.

In addition to praying at Mass and offering up one’s communion, you can also have Masses said for the Poor Souls. Contact your parish church to have this done. Every parish keeps a calendar of Mass intentions. For a small stipend (usually $5), you can reserve dates on which the Masses will be offered especially for the souls in Purgatory. If your parish’s calendar is full, then you can contact the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. There are many missionary priests who are able to offer Masses for your specific intentions.

A second way that we help the Poor Souls as a family is by praying for them before meals and during our rosaries. Though I often write spontaneous Before Meals prayers that I share on the Catholic Foodie, my family usually prays the traditional “Bless us, O Lord” prayer. We end it by asking God to bless each one of us around the table, adding, “May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.” Simple, huh? But powerful. We remember them at every meal. We also remember them when we pray the rosary together. That’s another powerful way to help the Poor Souls.

Perhaps during the month of November, I can share more on the show about indulgences and how they can be applied to the Poor Souls in Purgatory.

“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.” AMEN!

Events for 2020-2021

Saturday, December 12, 2020  CANCELED

  • Advent Day of Retreat
  • Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul

Sunday, February 7, 2021 

  •       World Day of Consecrated Life 
  •       11:00 a.m. Parish Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul
  •       Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Celebrant

Saturday, March 13, 2021

  •     Lenten Day of Retreat-Sister Sheila Galligan, IHM
  •     Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul
  •     Drexel Hall: Conferences/lunch

Sunday, September 19, 2021

  •      Jubilarian Mass 
  •     Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Celebrant    
  •     Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul

Saturday, December 11, 2021

  •     Advent Day of Retreat
  •     Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul

Details will follow for each retreat and celebration as we near the dates

Contact

Sister Gabrielle Mary Braccio, RSM
Delegate for Consecrated Life
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299
10th Floor Room 1029

Phone: 215-587-3795
Fax: 215-587-3790
Email: sr.gbraccio@archphila.org

To assist those who feel called to the consecrated life, the Office for Consecrated Life lists those Congregations who serve in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Please see listing below.

Congregations of Men

Congregations of Women