Living and sharing Christ’s love through consecrated life

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington is celebrating World Day of Consecrated Life with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Feb.7, 10 a.m. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop John Iffert, is an invitation to come together in communion with one another to celebrate those who have consecrated their life to Jesus.

Currently, there are five communities of women religious in the Diocese of Covington, in addition to six communities of men religious serving in the Diocese. These communities live out their charism and spiritualities in a variety of ways, each of which is beneficial to the wellbeing of the Diocese. Whether a charism of prayer, healthcare, education or social work, the work of consecrated religious in the Diocese cannot be understated.

Claire Thérèse lives her vocation as a consecrated virgin through her work as a wife of Christ, spiritual mother and director, professor, author and the operation of a non-profit, private retreat cottage. Sister Lynn Stenken answered God’s call when she made first vows with the Congregation of Divine Providence at 23 years old. Now, Sister Lynn serves as director of Religious Education at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, California.

Though answering different calls to consecrated life Ms. Claire Thérèse and Sister Lynn both model Christ’s love through their vocations.

The often-misunderstood vocation of a consecrated virgin is the oldest form of consecrated life within the Catholic Church, predating organized religious life, dating back to pre-apostolic times. “The women first called to be spiritually wed to Christ were not nuns or religious Sisters; they were consecrated virgins,” said Ms. Claire Thérèse.

While other consecrated religious communities, like the Congregation of Divine Providence, focus on living their vocation through a charism, consecrated virgins, can “‘only’ boast of the most foundational aspect of all consecrated life: being the bride of Christ,” Ms. Claire Thérèse.

While members of the Congregation of Divine Providence are also wed to Christ, they share additional responsibilities, through community life and the fulfillment of a charism and spirituality. Given to them by founder, Blessed John Martin Moye, the spirituality flows through four fundamental virtues: poverty, simplicity, apostolic charity and abandonment to Divine Providence.

These provide a framework for living out a charism “rooted in an understanding of God’s great love for all of us and for each of us, individually. And those of us who are attracted to that charism, then live that out through practicing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy,” said Sister Lynn.

Traditionally, sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence lived their charism through “ministries of teaching and nursing,” said Sister Lynn. “As time went on and minds expanded, we began to see the others way which we can live out the spiritual, corporal works of mercy.” Now, sisters can be found in social work settings, teaching, nursing and providing spiritual direction.

Both consecrated virgins and the sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, though different, share a love of Christ and a dedication to him. Serving as reminders of his love through their earthly ministry.