The Catholic Church in Poland celebrates World Day for Consecrated Life, instituted by Pope John Paul II back in 1997 for the faithful to reflect over and pray for the consecrated people.

On that day, priests, nuns and monks give special thanks to God for their vocation, says Fr. Tomasz Sielicki. 'We tend to think that because we abandon this world and the possibility to have a family, then we sacrifice a lot through the oaths we make. And that it's very difficult to keep chastity, poverty and obedience until death. And then, as priests, we find out that it's not us who gave something to God, but we actually receive the ability to live the Gospel following Jesus,' he adds.

SVD missionary sister Miriam Długosz says that the consecrated people try to build the civilization of love everywhere they serve, among different religions and cultures. They bring witness of the Gospel of love and solidarity to others.

“It's about opening whole institutions that protect newborn life, hospitals, centres for HIV and AIDS victims, it's about reaching faraway places, where even locals refuse to go,” she says.

Sister Miriam, who worked as a missionary in Papua New Guinea adds it's not enough to be a nun. You have to be a happy nun to be able to give a full witness of life according to the Gospel. (jn)