Sisters religious from the Archdiocese of New York joined Cardinal Timothy Dolan, with concelebrants Auxiliary Bishops Edmund J. Whalen, vicar for clergy, and John S. Bonnici, along with Monsignor Joseph P. LaMorte, vicar general, and Monsignor Douglas Mathers at a Mass for World Day of Consecrated Life at St. John the Evangelist parish in Manhattan.

The day is intended as an observance of brothers and sisters religious and their contributions to the Church and coincides with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, both of which fall on February 2. The Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dolan took place on February 4.

“This is a response to the initiative, now over 40 years ago, of St. John Paul II, that February 2 be celebrated as the World Day of Religious Life,” Cardinal Dolan said, noting that the previous day, he had said a similar Mass for sisters religious at Meadowview at Wartburg in Mount Vernon, where 80 Catholic sisters reside.

“One way that Jesus touches us is in the life of our consecrated religious. When we see in front of us women and men who have devoted themselves exclusively to Jesus and His Church, and through alms, poverty, chastity, and obedience, we are touching something of Christ,” Cardinal Dolan said in his homily.

The following sisters then renewed their vows:

Sr. Patricia Anastasio, PBVM
Sr. Anne Massell, PBVM
Sr. Zelide Ceccagno, MSCS
Sr. Joan Curtin, vicar for clergy, CND
Sr. Mary Anne Dennehy, O. Carm.
Sr. Nancy Doran, SSC
Sr. Teresita Morse, RJM
Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, Superintendent of Schools, ASCJ
Sr. Anne Marie Elizabeth, SV
Sr. Elena Marie, SV

The women religious who renewed their vows also served throughout the Mass as lectors, leaders of song, and bringing up the offertory.

Cardinal Dolan offered a final blessing and thanked the religious in attendance for all they do for the Church and for the archdiocese.