CHICAGO (February 8, 2005) – Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., will join several hundred members of religious communities of sisters, priests and brothers at Schmidt Academic Center of DePaul University, 2320 N. Kenmore, Chicago, beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, for a day of discussion and prayer that celebrates all forms of consecrated life within the broader context of the church community.

Sr. Patricia Walter, OP, will address the participants on the topic, “Religious Life in the Life of the Church,” followed by small group discussions. Cardinal George will celebrate the closing liturgy at 5 p.m. at nearby St Vincent De Paul Parish, 1010 W. Webster Ave. “It is significant that the closing Mass with Cardinal George will take place around the corner at a parish,” says Sr. Joan McGinchey, Director of the Office for Religious in the Archdiocese, “because it emphasizes even more that religious life exists in the wider community of the church, and not as an institution by itself.”

Young adults, students at DePaul University and representative of a growing number of men and women who have a connection with religious communities to deepen their spirituality or to support the various charisms of the religious orders will participate.

“We are widening the circle,” notes Sr. Joan “to include lay persons who are connected with religious communities as volunteers or for their own spiritual development.” Such a group is connected to Bereoyre Mission House, the Vincentian community’s house of formation, at DePaul University. They are motivated by a desire to develop their spirituality and to learn more about the Vincentian community spirit and charisms, according to Fr. Patrick McDivitt, CM, a faculty member at DePaul and Director of Bereoyre Mission House.