Religious sisters attend the closing Mass for the Year of Consecrated Life, Feb. 6, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
Sacred Hearts Academy students dance.
Story and photos by Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“Our vocation is not about us,” the homilist told the 150-or-so religious sisters, brothers and priests gathered for Mass the morning of Feb. 6 in the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. “Our vocation is about Christ.”
The liturgy brought to a close the Year of Consecrated Life in Hawaii, a year declared by Pope Francis to honor the past, present and future contributions of those men and women who have dedicated themselves to the vowed religious life. Bishop Larry Silva was the main celebrant. Marianist Father George Cerniglia preached.
Dominican Sister Malia Dominica Wong presents her book “A Pilgrimage Through Time” to Bishop Larry Silva.
“You might think choosing a vocation is seeking personal fulfillment,” Father Cerniglia said. “But Jesus says, ‘I am the Vine and you are the branches.’”
“If we live this relationship, then we will bear much fruit,” he said.
Before the Mass, Dominican Sister Malia Dominica Wong, who had organized the diocese’s dynamic commemoration of the year, welcomed and acknowledged the religious commitment of those present. She urged them to “become fire,” to have an all-consuming response to their religious calling.
Layman Dann Ebina and laywoman Shanita Akana each offered words of appreciation for religious they know who have touched their lives. A group of six students from Sacred Hearts Academy, dressed in bright flowing tunics, performed a spirited dance to the song “Testify to Love.”
Bishop Silva thanked those gathered “for all that you do, for all that you are.”
The pope set the Year of Consecrated Life from the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, 2014, to Feb. 2, 2016, the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.
Hawaii observed the year primarily with traveling exhibits heralding the contributions of religious communities in Hawaii that on weekends visited nearly every parish, mission and school in the state. Groups of sisters, brothers and priests accompanied the exhibits, engaging in dialogue about their religious vocations.
Sister Malia Dominica compiled stories and pictures from each parish visit in the 296-page book, “A Pilgrimage Through Time,” which also contains the narratives of the dozens of religious congregations who have worked in Hawaii over the past two centuries and the histories of island parishes. Also listed are the names of local sisters, brothers and priests, past and present, living and deceased.
The bishop, who was presented a copy of the book by Sister Malia Dominica, called it a “treasure.”
“Young people will be inspired,” he said.
