Special observances in the Year of Concecrated Life are approaching.

In a letter earlier this summer to pastors, parochial administrators, other parish officials and major superiors, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki encouraged parishes and schools to celebrate consecrated life during the week of of Sept. 13-20. On the evening of Sept. 20, Bishop Proprocki will celebrate vespers, or evening prayer, with religious of the diocese at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.

Last year, Pope Francis declared 2015 a year of concecrated life. It marks the 50th anniversary of Perfectae Caritatis, the decree on consecrated life from the Second Vatican Council and Lumen Gentium, the Council's constitution on the church, the sixth chapter of which deals with the topic of the consecrated life. The bishop explains further in his column on page 2. As proclaimed by the pope, the observance will continue to the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 29, 2015.

The bishop also desired that readers of Catholic Times know more about the religious that serve the diocese and their many contributions to the church and community and the importance of praying for those already in consecrated life and those discerning it. Brother Patrick Shea, OFM, diocesan vice chancellor and Associate Editor Diane Schlindwein have coordinated that effort that begins below.