By Father Michael A. de Leon, A.M.
Being a consecrated religious person like me often means being called to serve away from one’s home country and family. Being away from one’s family is not easy. Yet, there are moments in life that, in a special way, can alleviate this sense of melancholy and generate a sense of joy, belongingness and familiarity.
These feelings of inclusion are exactly what it felt like to me – and I assume also for the 80-plus foreign-born religious women and men serving the Diocese of Camden – during the day of prayer, Mass and fellowship with Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Williams on Nov. 23 at Saint Simon Stock Parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Berlin.
Photo Gallery – Day of Prayer with Religious
Again, I surmise that the majority of the religious men and women in attendance representing 38 religious communities are foreign-born. I myself was born and raised in the Philippines. I belong to a large family; I’m one of eight children. I joined the Religious Institute of Alagad ni Maria (AM) – sometimes called Disciples of Mary – at age 16, right after my senior high school. Throughout the years, I have considered my religious community my second family. I’ve been serving in the Diocese of Camden for 10 years, first as a parochial vicar and now as a pastor. In 2014, Bishop Dennis Sullivan invited my religious community to serve in the Diocese of Camden. Since then, we have been serving the people of the Diocese in Catholic high schools, colleges, elementary schools and parishes.
The United States is more than 8,500 miles away from my family – parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and relatives. Again, there are occasions when I feel nostalgic and even sentimental. But there are also multiple times when I feel a sense of camaraderie and belonging among my brother-priests in my religious community and my fellow religious in the Diocese. I also feel a sense of fulfillment and joy whenever I serve the people of God, my parishioners, their families, and those who feel alone, abandoned and isolated.
In Bishop Williams’ homily, he emphasized that those who are called by God to serve His people, like the consecrated religious, are also called to “be like the angels.” Of course, living like an angel does not mean to think of oneself as superior from others, but to live among the “children of God” who love and serve all people.
This rare occasion of religious men and women gathering for Mass and fellowship points to something special: that Catholic religious communities play a vital role in the life of a diocese, offering spiritual enrichment, diverse ministries, clergy support, witness to evangelical counsels, community building, missionary outreach and more.
Religious communities – through their commitment to prayer, contemplation and the sacraments – provide spiritual nourishment to the Diocese. Their presence inspires deeper faith and devotion among the laity. We often engage in various ministries such as education, healthcare and social services. Some run schools, hospitals and charitable organizations, addressing both spiritual and material needs. We also team with and support diocesan clergy by sharing in pastoral duties, providing retreats and offering spiritual direction. This collaboration helps alleviate the workload of parish priests and enhances the overall pastoral care available to the faithful.
By living out the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, members of religious communities offer a powerful witness to the Gospel values. Their lifestyle challenges and inspires others to live more simply and faithfully. They often foster a sense of unity and belonging within a diocese. They create spaces for communal worship, reflection and service, strengthening the bonds among parishioners. Many religious communities are involved in missionary work, both locally and globally. They bring the message of Christ to underserved areas, often working in challenging environments to spread and sustain the faith.
I do believe that, collectively, our presence as religious communities in this beloved Diocese is enriching the spiritual life, enhancing the pastoral care, and strengthening the Church’s mission to serve and evangelize the people of God.
Father Michael A. de Leon, AM, is pastor of Saint Simon Stock Parish.
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