Delegate for Consecrated Life

en español

Summer/Fall, 2012

Dear Website Visitor,

In His Apostolic Letter, The Door of Faith [Porta Fidei], which introduces the Year of Faith beginning in October, 2012, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that the gift of faith is given in Baptism. This gift of faith is nourished by our reception of the Holy Eucharist and grows in strength through the graces flowing from the Sacrament of Confirmation. As the life of a plant begins with a small seed that is nourished and grows – so too the gift of faith given in Baptism must be nourished in order to grow.

In this upcoming Year of Faith we are invited by His Holiness to consider how faith is the door that leads us to communion with God and with His Church. I would like to offer the image above to portray the relationship of a soul with God. Looking closely we see that there is no handle on the outside of the door. For Christ to enter – the door must be opened from the inside. Our faith is what opens us to Christ.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock;
If any one hears My Voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and eat with him,
and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

Some questions that you might be asking yourself as you visit this website - “Is God calling me to be a religious sister, brother or priest or to be a consecrated member of His Church?”… or . . . “How might God be calling me as a professed religious to grow in my faith this year?” As we believe, live and celebrate the truth that He reveals to us - we become His disciples who bring His Word to the ends of the earth.

May Mary, Mother of Christ, intercede that we have the courage to hear and respond to His Voice for the building up of His Body, the Church!

Sincerely in Christ,

Sister Mary Dolora Keating, R.S.M.
Delegate for Consecrated Life
Archdiocese of Washington
5001 Eastern Avenue
Washington, DC 20017
(301) 853-4576
keatingsmd@adw.org