Pope Leo’s words provided a focus and the overarching theme of the annual assembly for women and men in Consecrated Life, which was held recently.
More than 150 leaders and leadership team members, plus vicars for Consecrated Life, attended the National Assembly of Catholic Religious Australia in Melbourne from 3-5 August.
Pope Leo, in an address to his Augustinian Order in 2025, described Religious Life as being “an adventure of love with God”.
Such a description places emphasis first and foremost on interiority and the necessity of discovering that love is at the heart of everything.
The two keynote speakers, Michele Connolly RSJ and Tony Banks OSA, developed the theme through input and time for reflection, which unfolded into intentional conversations.
They both assured us that in the ministry of our religious life we are called to be agents of communion; that in the people we encounter we strive to find common ground to break down polarisation and division.
Tony emphasised the primary place of interiority in the spiritual quest, recognising that truth dwells first and foremost in the inner person. While Michelle reminded us that the first Christian community had to transition from knowing Jesus in the flesh to encountering Jesus in the flesh of another. The first agency that we have as men and women is to capture and magnify the spiritual energy that Jesus released into the world through his life, death and resurrection.
We were called to reflect on our attitude of openness, to recognise and respect the fact that each member of the Church has a voice. As we grow into a Church characterised by communion, participation and mission, we can offer an antidote to the growing separateness besetting many communities, both local and global.
The gathering was enriched through the presence of two members of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic life, Sr Tiziana Merletti SFP (Secretary) and Fr Richard Welch C.S.Sp. (Official).
Their presence, formal input and interaction with many over the days of the gathering brought encouragement and strengthened the bonds between Catholic Religious Australia and the Holy See.
It was encouraging to experience, especially through our listening and sharing, how our international Church is growing synodality as we all strive to witness to the fact that in the “One we are one”.
Patty Andrew osu is Vicar for Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Parramatta.
