“In life, we must pray and live what we pray” was the motto of the meeting of priests and consecrated persons from the Diocese of Timișoara, held on January 31, 2026. The day began at 10:00 a.m. with a pontifical Mass celebrated by His Excellency Iosif Csaba Pál, diocesan bishop, at the Piarist Order Church in Timișoara, in the presence of priests, monks, and nuns from almost all the parishes and communities of the diocese.

After the service, the participants gathered in the Aula Magna of Gerhardinum High School, where the program continued with a lecture by His Excellency László Varga. He shared his experience on the priestly vocation, the importance of daily prayer, and serving the vulnerable from the homeless to people with disabilities and the sick emphasizing how living the Gospel is reflected in everyday life. The day concluded with final prayers, after which participants were invited to continue the fellowship over a communal meal in the Gerhardinum High School cafeteria.

The celebration of consecrated persons continued the next day, Sunday, February 1, at the Greek-Catholic Church of the “Nativity of the Mother of God” in Timișoara, bringing together monks and nuns from the Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Lugoj and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Timișoara. The Vespers, held at 5:00 p.m., were attended by His Excellency Ioan Călin Bot, Greek-Catholic bishop of Lugoj, and His Excellency Iosif Csaba Pál, Roman Catholic bishop of Timișoara, alongside numerous priests and faithful.

The homily was delivered by Fr. Hieromonk Atanasie (Davide Giuseppe Muntoni), abbot of the “Most Holy Trinity” Monastery in Giroc. He explained that Holy Mother Church, in her wisdom, offers us this celebration of Jesus’ entry into the temple a moment that impresses not by grandeur or pomp, but by the simplicity with which the Almighty enters the house of His Father, asking to be received into the arms of Mary and Joseph. In this image of consecrated life, it is clear how grace is preserved in the clay vessels of those who live their monastic vows, carefully held in the arms of the Church.

The celebration shows us that Jesus’ entry into the temple brings the assurance and certainty that the holy name of God is proclaimed before Him, and that Yeshua, the name of Jesus, resonates in the house of the Father, confirming His presence among people. Sisters from Caransebeș and Timișoara also participated in these two events.

Written by Sr. Marie Therese FCJM