Vowed religious sisters and brothers each accepted a symbolic candle before the Feb. 14 Mass celebrating consecrated life. (Dwain Hebda photo)

Novice Joseph Owens, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey in Subiaco accepts his candle prior to the Feb. 14 Mass celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life, while fellow novice Clifford Heyer, OSB, looks on. (Dwain Hebda photo)

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor listens as Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey delivers the homily at the Mass celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life Feb. 14, The Mass was celebrated at the chapel of the Carmelite Monastery in Little Rock. (Dwain Hebda photo)

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey, and Bishop Anthony B. Taylor share a light moment prior to the assembled religious renewing their vows. Abbot Jerome quipped he would be leading the renewal of vows because if the bishop did it, "he's afraid it might make him a monk." (Dwain Hebda photo)

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About 75 men, women religious observe special Mass

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey delivers homily, renewal of vows

Published: February 21, 2015

By Dwain Hebda
Little Rock Correspondent

Dwain Hebda

Sister Elaine Willett, OSB, of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, receives her candle during a Mass celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life at the Carmelite Monastery in Little Rock Feb 14.

Dwain Hebda

Sister Elaine Willett, OSB, of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, receives her candle during a Mass celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life at the Carmelite Monastery in Little Rock Feb 14.

About 75 men and women religious from across the state gathered at the Carmelite Monastery in Little Rock Feb. 14 for a Mass celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life and in recognition of the fifth centenary of St. Teresa of Avila’s birth.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor concelebrated the Mass, which began with a procession of the religious in attendance. Each carried a candle, a gift of the Carmelites and blessed by Bishop Taylor, which featured three roses, representing the Holy Trinity, and three gold bands, representing the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey delivered the homily as well as the renewal of religious vows during Mass. Abbot Jerome recently announced his resignation after 25 years as the abbot.

“Pope Francis spoke about the purposes of the Year of Consecrated Life when he announced it last year, and ... he presented his challenge for the year to us religious under three headings,” Abbot Jerome said in his homily. “One, look to the past with gratitude; two, live the present with passion; three, embrace the future with hope.

“With the polarization of society such a major problem and people having difficulty living peaceably with one another, (the pope) asks religious to offer a concrete model of community, where the dignity and gifts of each person are acknowledged and people recognize one another as brothers and sisters. We might recognize in this a vision not just of the consecrated life, but of the Church itself.”

The Year of Consecrated Life continues through Feb. 2, 2016.

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