Middlesbrough: Living Joyfully event at St Mary's Cathedral

There will be a chance to find out what life's like for those people who have dedicated themselves to God at a two-day event in Middlesbrough later this month.

Some of the 178 people living consecrated lives throughout the Diocese of Middlesbrough will gather for Living Joyfully in St Mary's Cathedral on Thursday September 24 and Friday September 25.

They include members of religious communities such as the Salesians of Don Bosco, together with the MYMission Team, young adults who spend a voluntary gap year living in community and working in youth ministry. There will also be input from Christian drama group, Rise Theatre.

"The term 'consecrated life' covers a lot of ground," said vocations director Father Paul Farrer, who has organised the event. "It includes those living monastic, apostolic and contemplative lives and all those fathers, sisters and brothers who serve parishes, teach and do all kinds of outreach work. But there are many more also lay men and women who promise to live life dedicated to God. The Madonna House community in Robin Hood's Bay is a good example of this. This event is an opportunity for people living consecrated lives to join together publicly so people can meet them and see how they live.

"We want to give prayerful thanks for the ministry of all those who live such lives in our diocese, enable people to find out more about consecrated life and also to recognise that all Christians are consecrated in baptism."

The programme includes Masses led by Bishop Terry Drainey and visits from primary and secondary school pupils.

The cathedral will host a spectacular flower festival inspired by the Year of Consecrated Life during the two days. There will also be the opportunity to venerate the relics of Blessed Nicholas Postgate, who was martyred at York in 1679.

The Year of Consecrated Life was launched by Pope Francis and runs until February 2 2016. The Pope asked consecrated men and women to be witnesses of communion, joy and the Gospel throughout the year and beyond.

"I am counting on you 'to wake up the world', since the distinctive sign of consecrated life is prophecy," he wrote. "This is the priority that is needed right now."

Living Joyfully takes place at St Mary's Cathedral in Middlesbrough from 9am until 10pm on Thursday September 24 and from 7.15am until 10pm on Friday September 25.