This week initial preparations began for the World Congress on Consecrated Life, which will take place November 23-27 in Rome, with the theme, “Passion for Christ, Compassion for Humanity.”

As part of this first phase, a document has been published emphasizing the “prophetic voice” which the congress should have, and explaining that among the subjects to be discussed will be faithfulness to Christ and commitment to greater inculturation of religious life in the third millennium.

Likewise, the biblical figures of Samaritan woman and the Good Samaritan have been chosen to be symbols of the congress because “they are images of a burning love for Jesus and compassion for humanity.  In them we see reflected our vocation and mission as consecrated men and women at the dawn of the 21st century.”   The Congress will also propose for reflection the apostolic letter of John Paul II, “Novo Millennio Ineunte” and the instruction “Walking with Christ.”