Jesus in his life and teaching
shows us the value of celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom;
he became poor in order to make us rich;
and he was obedient
even to death on the cross
in order to fulfill the Father's saving will.
Mary, too, was a chaste Virgin
who waited on the Lord;
she rejoiced because
God chose the poor
to bring about the wonders of His power;
by her obedience she
cooperated in the mystery of salvation.
Through our vows
we take up a way of life
like that of Jesus and Mary.
By our religious profession
we follow Jesus,
who calls us as persons
and communities to live the beatitudes
and to participate in his redemptive sacrifice.
Offering ourselves to God,
we share in the Lord's paschal mystery
and bear witness to our hope.
