Pope Francis Announces a Year for Consecrated Life

At the end of the year, 2013, Pope Francis announced that he would be dedicating 2015 as a year for consecrated life!

Consecrated Life (also known as "Religious Life") refers to the Monks, Nuns, Brothers, and Sisters who have "consecrated" themselves to God by their Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience (Benedictine Monks make the special Vows of Conversion of Life, Stability, and Obedience).

Those in Religious Life aim to grow in holiness through their gift of self to God and to His people.


At the end of December, Pope Francis spoke collectively to all of the Consecrated men and women in the Church, saying:

“Thank you for what you do and for your spirit of faith and your service. Thank you for your witness and also for the humiliations through which you have had to pass”.

The consecrated are those who “can awaken the world,” he said. “Consecrated life is prophecy. God asks us to fly the nest and to be sent to the frontiers of the world, avoiding the temptation to 'domesticate' them. This is the most concrete way of imitating the Lord.”



The Monks of St. Vincent Archabbey will be preparing for this yearlong celebration in a special way!

To Learn More about the Role of Religious Men and Women, watch this video!