February 2nd is the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.

A vocation to the Consecrated Life is a gift from God the Father to the Church, rooted in the example and teaching of Christ, and given through the power of the Holy Spirit The Glossary of The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines consecration as, "The dedication of a thing or person to Divine service by a prayer or blessing." The 1983 Code of Canon Law writes of this dedication as it applies to consecrated persons in the following way: "The life consecrated through the profession of the evangelical counsels is a stable form of living by which the faithful, following Christ more closely under the action of the Holy Spirit, are totally dedicated to God who is loved most of all, so that, having been dedicated by a new and special title to His honor, to the building up of the Church, and to the salvation of the world, they strive for the perfection of charity in the service of the kingdom of God and, having been made an outstanding sign in the Church, foretell the heavenly glory."    -Canon 573 §1 A consecrated person, as they strive to live the love of God and neighbor becomes a sign of the heavenly kingdom.

In the Church there are the following forms of Institutes of Consecrated Life: Religious brothers, sisters, and priests; members of Societies of Apostolic Life and Secular Institutes; hermits/anchorites/virgins. The Code of Canon Law refers to the distinctness of each type of Consecrated Life in the following manner: "In the Church there are a great many institutes of consecrated life which have different gifts according to the grace which has been given them: they more closely follow Christ who prays, or announces the kingdom of God, or does good to people, or lives with people in the world, yet who always does the will of the Father."    -Canon 577

The Voluntas Dei Institute, of which I am a member is the form of consecrated life known as a Secular Institute. Canon law states that: "A Secular Institute is an institute of consecrated life in which the faithful, living in this world, strive for the perfection of charity and endeavor to work for the sanctification of the world from within."

Secular institutes are not a lay branch of a religious order. Rather, they an organization, structure and administration of their own. Members of Secular Institutes are single lay men and women, as well as priests. Some institutes have an associate membership of married persons.
Like members of religious orders, members of Secular Institutes make vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Since they are not living in community, the vow of poverty can take non-traditional forms. Normally, members will live a simple life and consult with their institutes regarding financial matters. While some members of Secular Institutes are employed by the Church, most have jobs outside the Church. Members of Secular Institutes are doctors, secretaries, teachers, artists, etc. For more information about Voluntas Dei you may go to the web: www.voluntasdeiusa.org or www.voluntasdei.org which tells of our Institute world-wide.

Loving Father, we ask. you to embrace the men and women who have answered your call to be your in­struments in this world by conse c rating their lives.  Grace them with the realization that it is for this moment in time that they have been chosen. Strengthen them with theyearning to share your love with all the world. Strengthen them with the grace to stand firm against the powers of evil which threaten to destroy all that is good and holy.  Having answered your call, give them the courage and strength to clothe themselves with tender­hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. May they never be critical or complaining. Give them forgiving hearts and the ability to sow the seeds of peace in others. Most importantly, Lord, let them know that they are loved. Help us to provide the encouragement they need as they carry out your work. Protect them with your power. Amen