In 2013, Pope Francis declared that a Year of Consecrated Life (YCL) be celebrated throughout the world. YCL began on the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2014. It will close on the World Day of Consecrated Life, February 2, 2016.
This video features Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI rather than Pope Francis, but beautifully depicts those dedicated to consecrated life.
For Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter to all consecrated people click here:
To celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life, this video features images of Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto engaged in ministry.
Visit the Canadian Religious Conference webpage: http://crc-canada.org/en/documentation/year-of-consecrated-life-videos
During this Year of Consecrated Life, on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord this past February 2, the Church again invited all the faithful to celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life. As part of these celebrations, Pope Francis presided at a Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, with many men and women from various forms of consecrated life also participating. The consecrated life refers to those in the Church who have dedicated themselves in a special way to the Lord as members of religious institutes, apostolic societies and secular institutes, and as consecrated virgins. (Source: CCCB)