Year of Consecrated Life begins

The Pope wrote a letter to all religious who are preparing to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life.

Read the letter here

In the document, Pope Francis gives them three main goals for this year: "to be thankful for their past," "to live the present with enthusiasm" and "to embrace the future with hope." He calls on each religious order and institute to study better their charisms as well as to examine if Christ still is their "first and only love."

The Pope also reveals what he expects of this year. Above all, he wants consecrated men and women to "awaken the world,” and asks them to be happy and ready to give an answer to the challenges of society.

For example, the Pope encourages them to find out how they can help persecuted Christians worldwide. Finally, he hopes that the different religious institutes may come closer during the year.

Also, the document calls on the laity to value consecrated people in the Church.

The Year of Consecrated Life will begin on Sunday, November 30 and ends on February 2, 2016.

View video clip here

The Year of Consecrated Life will begin in the Holy Land with a mass celebrated in Bethlehem by Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land.

The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land also addressed a letter to the religious in the Holy Land.

Read letter here