Bishop Richard J. Sklba will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, February 8, at 8 a.m. in recognition of Consecrated Life Day.

Sisters, brothers and priests will visit parishes throughout the Archdiocese on that day to reflect on religious life. The theme for this year is, "They Left Everything and Followed Jesus."

Consecrated Life Day commemorates men and women who have made a special devotion to the Catholic Church by taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Pope John Paul II established it in 1997 in order for the Catholic Church to educate parishioners about people who serve God while maintaining their commitment of a consecrated life.

Consecrated Life Day is sponsored by the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Consecrated Life, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and the U.S. Conference of Secular Institutes.