Celebration of the Day of Consecrated Life in Ankawa.

The religious communities and consecrated women and men working in Erbil celebrated the Day of Consecrated Life on Monday, February 2, with a festive Mass held at the Church of Our Lady of Assistance in Ankawa. The celebration was presided over by His Excellency Bishop Mar Bashar Warda, assisted by His Excellency Bishop Nathanael Nizar Ajem, in the presence of a number of priests, monks, consecrated persons, and a gathering of faithful.

The celebration began with a procession in which the religious and consecrated participants carried candles, symbolizing their shared journey in the heart of the Church. This was followed by the Eucharistic celebration, during which the consecrated renewed their vows and dedication, reaffirming their evangelical commitment to serving God, the Church, and humanity, amid a reality full of challenges.

In his homily, Bishop Mar Bashar Warda expressed his deep gratitude for the presence of consecrated men and women in the life and mission of the Church. He emphasized that consecrated life is not a spiritual decoration or a special privilege, but a living testimony that the Gospel is to be lived before it is taught. He noted that consecrated persons, through their daily fidelity and witness, remind the Church that God comes not with noise but with gentleness, and that holiness is built in small details and long-term commitment.

His Excellency added that evangelical vows are not restrictions that close life, but paths that open to deeper freedom, and that consecrated life remains a sign of hope in a world burdened by fear and anxiety. It proclaims that humanity is not governed by the logic of consumption or hurry, but is called to deeper meaning and renewed trust in God. He also stressed that listening to God’s Word is the source of every vocation, that service without prayer loses its soul, and that organization without love turns into exhausting effort without fruit.

For their part, the consecrated men and women shared their joy on this day, which represents a spiritual occasion to renew their vocation and reconnect with its roots, especially amid the difficult circumstances faced by the Church in the region. The celebration concluded with a spirit of gratitude and hope, with the prayer that consecrated life continues to be a silent yeast, preserving the warmth of the Gospel in the heart of the Church and illuminating the path for the faithful with a life of simplicity, fidelity, and hope.