What is Religious/Consecrated Life?

Canon 573 states:

Life consecrated by the profession of the evangelical counsels is a stable form of living by which 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 dedicated themselves to His honor, the upbuilding' of the Church and
the
salvation of the world by a new and special title, they strive for the perfection of charity in service to
the Kingdom of God and, having become an outstanding sign in the Church, they may foretell the
heavenly glory.

Religious (p. s ) profession has long been viewed in the Church as a sort of second baptism, an entering
more profoundly into Christ's dying and rising, and so an entering into a more radical identification with
Him. In professing a life of evangelical poverty, chastity, and obedience, the consecrated Christian –
either religious or secular - takes up this closer following. All of this...is motivated by charity. Love of
God is supreme and total, yet simultaneously linked with the love which is expressed in prayer and
service of others. The life of consecration is seen as honoring God and furthering the mission of the
Church.

What does Consecrate mean?

• To Set Apart for God to serve Him (to Devote,
to Separate)
1) God Consecrates us
2) God told us to Consecrate ourselves
I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. 2
Chronicles 7:16
God Consecrates Us – You Are The Temple • Do you not know that your bodies are
temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are
not your own; 1 Corinthians 6:19
The Lord called Jeremiah when he was a young man (Jeremiah 1:5, 6) and said to him,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I consecrated you
and appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Consecrate Yourselves
• Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do
amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5
It does not take great men to do great things; it only takes consecrated men – Phillips Brooks
Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the LORD,
the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary. 2 Chronicles 29:5

What is the basis of Consecration? LOVE

He who loves Jesus consecrates to Him all that he has, and feels it a delight that he may
lay anything at the feet of Him who laid down his life for us – Charles Spurgoen
Consecration is putting Jesus absolutely first in our life, above all else, be ready, be
prepared to serve him and do what He asks. Because we are in love relationship with our Lord!
Consecration means that we say, “Lord, You have given me the opportunity and the right
to come before You and to serve You.” It is saying, “Lord, I am Yours. My ears were
purchased by the blood; they belong to You. My hands were purchased by the blood; they
belong to You. My feet were purchased by the blood; they belong to You. From now on I
can no longer use them for myself.” (Watchman Nee)