October 9th marked the celebration of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life. More than 16,000 individuals came from over 100 different countries to celebrate the joy of consecrated life with the Holy Father. We followed four Dehonians during this celebration.
On the occasion of the celebration of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life in Saint Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV, in his homily, drew from three verbs taken from the Gospel (Lk 11:9) to emphasize the beauty of the three principal religious vows. These verbs are “ask,” “seek,” and “knock,” referring respectively to Poverty, Obedience, and Chastity.
This reminder of the fundamental pillars of consecrated life allowed the more than 16,000 consecrated persons gathered in St. Peter’s Square to rekindle the beauty of their commitment. Among the participants in this Jubilee celebration, our attention focused on four Dehonian confreres (SCJ), who came respectively from India, Brazil, Spain, and Mozambique, and who agreed to share their personal experience and the renewed meaning of their vocation.
P. Joseph Kasmir, SCJ: Joy and Gratitude in Community
Kasmir emphasizes the joy and gratitude derived from the fraternal and international nature of religious life.
“For me, the Jubilee of Consecrated Life was a moment of profound joy and gratitude in rediscovering the beauty and greatness of belonging to the great family of thousands of consecrated people.”
P. Ângelo José Adão, SCJ: The Natural Response to Love 
Adão describes religious life as a reaction—a natural, compelling response to the inadequacy of self-centered living.
“For me, religious life is a reaction. When it’s no longer possible to live only for myself, when love directed solely at myself becomes unbearable, and the irresistible desire to live for the Lord is born—then religious life is the natural response, the truest echo of that interior call.”
P. Ramon Dominguez, SCJ : A Gift that gives itself
The statement from P. Ramon Dominguez, SCJ, centers on two main concepts: the evidence of God’s active presence and the dynamic nature of the consecrated vocation.
“The diversity of Consecrated Life makes me see that God continues to pour out His Grace in the world through so many religious men and women who give their lives pouring out love for God and the neediest people. This makes me live in joy, availability, generosity, and self-giving. Here I see the great beauty of consecrated life: it is a Gift that gives itself.” 
P. Eugenio Tarua, SCJ: Fraternity, Internationality, and Gospel Promise
Tarua concisely provides two main pillars supporting his commitment to religious life.
“In two sentences I would say: (1) Fraternal life and the international aspect of our experience; (2) The joy of living the present reality of Jesus’ promise: ‘Everyone who has left… for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.’ (Mt 19:29).”
