World Day of Prayer for Consecrated

In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we are blessed to have more than 900 religious men and women serving in our midst, representing about 120 religious congregations. They each make significant contributions to our community in parish ministry, education, healthcare, outreach, social service and many other areas of pastoral care. We are deeply thankful for their witness of humble service as they live the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

February 2 is the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. You are invited to celebrate with religious serving in the Archdiocese of Toronto at a special Mass on Sunday, January 29 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Basilica. Bishop Kirkpatrick will preside.

This video highlights some of the men and women religious serving in the Archdiocese of Toronto, created in 2015 for the Year for Consecrated Life.

Or, check out these profiles of 10 religious who are serving in our archdiocese.

We each have an important role to play in fostering religious vocations. The Pastoral Plan of the Archdiocese of Toronto includes vocations as one of its five pillars with the goals of:

Praying for vocations
Fostering vocations to ordained ministry and religious life
Promoting lay pastoral ministry roles within parishes and archdiocesan offices
Integrating programs of discernment and formation for ordained ministry at St. Augustine's Seminary
Strengthening programs of formation and training for the laity
Ensuring ongoing formation for pastoral leaders through programs for clergy and laity
Thank you for your continued prayers for religious and that more men and women would answer this call! If you feel called to religious life, you can contact the Vocations Office to further explore God's call for your life and love.

Prayer for vocations (from USCCB)

Father you call each one of us by name and ask us to follow you.
Bless your church by raising up dedicated and generous leaders from our families and friends who will serve your people as Sisters, Priests, Brothers, Deacons, and Lay Ministers.
Inspire us as we grow to know you, and open our hearts to hear your call.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.