Religious life, as the Church affirms, is a prophetic sign rooted in baptism and expressed through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. It is a concrete way of following Christ that unites consecrated persons to God while sending them forth for mission.
By Anthony Kimanzi *
With these words, Father Pietro Trabucco, IMC, introduced his reflection while speaking to the group of Consolata missionaries Jubilee gathered in Rome for the ongoing formation course from September 1 to 27, 2025.
With a profound understanding of the life of the Founder and the mission of the Institute, where he served in various capacities, including that of Superior General, Father Trabucco, who currently resides in the St Joseph Allamano’s Birthplace in Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Italy), focused his reflection on Consecrated Life in a particular way for the Consolata Missionaries. It is an invitation to look at Saint Joseph Allamano, Our Lady of Consolata, and the charism of the Congregation. These are our inspirations for understanding and living Consecrated Life.
Therefore, at this historical moment, two questions arise with urgency: What are the prospects of consecrated life in the coming years?andWhich instruments can we use to discern its future with fidelity to God, the Church, and our Institute?
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The invitation of Father Trabucco was made to look at the institute with the changes it is undergoing; it is about God’s blessing and grace. Our presence in the world from the Founders’ time, speaks of the prospects and at the same time an important point for discernment. The presentation had six main points as shown below:
1. Primacy of God. The Gospel image of the house built on rock (Mt 7:24-27) offers the foundation: only what is grounded in Christ endures. Thus, the first and indispensable element is the primacy of God – expressed in the Eucharist, the Word, prayer, and contemplation. St. Allamano insisted: “first saints, then missionaries.”
2. Mission at the Heart of Vocation. Mission remains central and is expressed through the triple ad gentes (availability for the nations), ad extra (willingness to leave homeland and embrace new cultures), and ad vitam (lifelong consecration). To live this mandate requires “fire”—missionary zeal continually nourished by personal and community formation. Lukewarmness is the greatest danger to consecrated life.
3. Discipleship of Christ. Our consecrated life is inseparable from following Jesus: staying with Him before being sent, imitating His compassion for the poor, and witnessing to the Gospel in the cultural and existential peripheries of today’s world.
4. Intellectual Formation. Study and reflection are essential for missionary credibility. As Allamano taught, “a missionary without knowledge is an extinguished lamp.” Ongoing study sustains both holiness and apostolate. Reading has to become an instrument of discernment, a way of life, a style, a fundamental attitude and also a working tool.
5. Community and Intercultural Life. The future of our consecrated life depends on authentic community: building communion, respecting diversity, and cultivating intercultural fraternity. In today’s globalized world, communities must resemble a Pentecost—many languages and cultures, yet one family—rather than a melting pot.
6. Affectivity, Solidarity, and Simplicity. Our consecrated life requires affective maturity, solidarity with the poor, and simplicity modelled on Nazareth. True witness emerges from loving relationships, freedom from consumerism, and closeness to the least. It is therefore important that we go back to the experiences of Nazareth: the early hidden life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Thus, this must become our school and fountain for living consecrated life.
7. Finally, looking ahead, the prospects of consecrated life and especially our institute, we should be full of hope if we remain faithful to God, nurture missionary fire, deepen formation, and live communion in diversity. For the jubilarians, this anniversary is not only a celebration of years lived but a renewed call to give oneself with joy to God, to the Church, and to the Institute. As St. Allamano reminded us, “the missionary vocation is the best one.” May your fidelity be a testimony of joy and courage for the generations to come.
Fifteen missionaries (14 Fathers and 1 Brother) from Africa, Latin America, and Europe are participating in the course at the Generalate.
The event is sponsored by the General Office for Formation, and the work is coordinated by General Councilor Father Mathews Odhiambo Owuor and Fathers Antonio Rovelli and Ernesto Viscardi.
* Father Anthony Kimanzi, IMC, missionary in Kenya.
