SAN DIEGO — Men and women religious serving in the Diocese of San Diego gathered for an evening of prayer and fellowship at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in San Diego.
Nearly 80 women and men religious took part in the celebration on Feb. 2, hosted by Father Benjamin Lee, SVD, pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish. The evening began in the church with Evening Prayer and Vespers. Sister Kathy Warren, director for Women Religious of the Diocese of San Diego, led the community in prayer.
Father Soney Sebastian, SVD, offered a reflection on the relevance of consecrated life in light of the Gospel passage Matthew (5:1–12a), the Beatitudes. He also referred to the jubilee of St. Francis of Assisi, who helped shape a renewed understanding of religious life through the evangelical vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
Father Sebastian noted that Jesus presented the Beatitudes as a reinterpretation of the Commandments, inviting Christians to live more fully in love and fellowship. Drawing a parallel to the present day, he observed that in a time when relationships are often reduced to numbers of “likes” and “followers,” and lifelong commitment is increasingly misunderstood, consecrated life is challenged to be re‑envisioned in ways that speak meaningfully to the contemporary world.
The gathering was significant as Feb. 2 marks both the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day for Consecrated Life. Following Evening Prayer, the participants gathered in the parish hall for fellowship and dinner. Parishioners lovingly prepared a beautifully arranged sit‑down meal, with carefully decorated tables and fresh floral centerpieces, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
During the gathering, Sister Warren offered words of welcome and invited those celebrating significant jubilees to share. Brother James Sabak, OFM, spoke about the 800th anniversary year of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, which prompted Pope Leo XIV to declare 2026 a Jubilee Year. The Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament (SJS) announced the celebration of 100 years of their presence in the United States. Members of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Nazareth Sisters shared that they observed jubilees of 150 years of their congregation’s existence and 100 years of ministry in San Diego, respectively, in 2025.
Several sisters reflected on their personal connections to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, recalling visits as young girls and years of devoted service, including leadership at the parish school, which has since closed.
The evening concluded as a joyful and grace‑filled celebration of consecrated life. Heartfelt gratitude was expressed to Father Lee; his associate, Father Boniface Issaka, SVD; and the parishioners of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for their generous hospitality; as well as to Sister Warren for her leadership in organizing this meaningful gathering.
