{"id":4274,"date":"2025-09-05T06:05:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T06:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/consolataafrica.org\/en\/?p=4274"},"modified":"2025-09-09T08:40:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T08:40:12","slug":"course-g25-the-word-of-god-as-a-guide-to-consecrated-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/consolataafrica.org\/en\/course-g25-the-word-of-god-as-a-guide-to-consecrated-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Course G25: \u201cThe Word of God as a Guide to Consecrated Life\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Retreat during the G25 course in Rome. Photo: Jaime C. Patias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The group of Consolata Missionaries celebrating their jubilee, who are participating in the second course of ongoing formation in Rome, had a day of retreat this Tuesday, September 2. The retreat was led by Father Peter Nkumbira, a Carmelite religious and professor of Scripture from Malawi.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

By Deogratias Makei Mlay *<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The course is attended by 14 priests and 1 brother from Africa, Latin America, and Europe, who during this six-year period will celebrate 25 years of priestly ordination and\/or religious profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theme of the retreat was \u201cThe Word of God as a Guide to Consecrated Life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo be consecrated means to be sanctified and set apart for a mission,\u201d affirmed the preacher. \u201cThe first to be consecrated was Jesus himself.\u201d Father Peter Nkumbira emphasized that the participants of Course G25 \u201care consecrated and set apart for a mission just as Jesus was consecrated and set apart for a mission. The model of discipleship is Jesus Christ himself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Father Peter Nkumbira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The biblical scholar, who taught at the National Theological Seminary of St. Peter and now teaches at the Catholic University of Malawi (where religious study philosophy, religious sciences, and the humanities), reminded the group that \u201cthe only way to know Jesus is through the Scriptures. There is a direct link between the Word of God and the consecration of his disciples. The foundation of consecrated life is the Word of God. In fact, our charism is the concrete way of living Consecrated Life. Without the Word of God, Consecrated Life becomes very superficial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his reflection, the preacher focused on the relationship between the Word of God and Consecrated Life, basing himself on the Gospel of John, chapter 10. He began with the citation: \u201cThe sheep follow him because they know his voice\u201d (Jn 10:4). \u201cThis verse shows us that reading and listening to the Word of God helps create a relationship with Him,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monsignor Peter Makau and Father Antonio Benitez. Photo: Adolphe Mulengezi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Father Peter Nkumbira then highlighted the importance of the Word of God in three aspects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Word of God as a guide to Consecrated Life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Word of God as liberator from the \u201chouse of death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Word of God as nourishment, because Jesus is the Bread of Life (Jn 6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is through the Word of God that we encounter Jesus. Without this Word of life, we risk becoming slaves to our fears, to the image we have of ourselves, and to the opinions of others,\u201d the religious said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Participants in the Course G25 with the Bishop Peter Makau. Photo: Adolphe Mulengezi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After his profound presentation, the preacher left the missionaries with two questions for personal reflection: \u201cDo I make time and have the patience to read the Word of God? What are the challenges or obstacles to reading and listening to the Word of God in my life?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The participants were invited to rediscover the place of the Word of God in their lives, particularly through meditation and Lectio Divina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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