Religious celebrate consecration, jubilees

Published: February 17, 2025

Women and men religious from across the Diocese of Little Rock gathered for the 2025 Consecration Day and Religious Jubilarian Mass Feb. 8 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor celebrated the Mass, during which seven jubilarians were honored for observing anniversaries this year.

Photo Courtesy Sister Cecilia Nguyen, OSB
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor (left) congratulates Brother Jude Schmitt, OSB, Father Mark Stengel, OSB, and Brother Adrian Strobel, OSB, Feb. 8 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock for 60 years of religious life.

This event is held each year near the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, which is celebrated on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord Feb. 2. 

Those celebrating anniversaries are Sister Ana Lilia Mares, MCSC, 25 years; Brother Jude Schmitt, OSB, Brother Adrian Strobel, OSB, and Father Mark Stengel, OSB; 60 years; Sister Madeline Clifton, OSB, and Sister Louise Sharum, OSB, 70 years; and Sister Romana Rohmer, OSB, 75 years. The three monks from Subiaco Academy were able to attend the Mass.

This event was sponsored by Sister Cecilia Nguyen, OSB, diocesan minister to religious. The minister to religious is a liaison between the religious women and men in Arkansas and our bishop. For more information about the religious who serve in our state, visit the Religious Order Directory or see Where Religious Serve in Arkansas. 

If you or someone you know thinks they may have a vocation to the religious life, we invite you to email Sister Cecilia or call her (501) 664-0340, ext. 309. To learn more, see Steps to Becoming a Religious Sister or Brother.