Consecrated Virgins

The Consecration of Virgins is one of the oldest sacramentals in the Church, and is the oldest form of consecrated life. Because of the work of the Second Vatican Council, this Rite for virgins living in the world was restored; the promulgation of this restored rite was on May 31, 1970.

Through this sacramental, after renewing her resolve to live in perpetual virginity for God, the virgin is set aside as a sacred person, espoused to Christ, and belonging to Him alone. It is God Himself who accepts the resolution and makes it spiritually fruitful by the power of the Holy Spirit. This sacramental is reserved to the Bishop of the diocese.

Duties of the Consecrated Virgin

The consecrated virgin is dedicated to the service of God and the Church. As such, she has concern for the mission of the Church and for the people of God.

The consecrated virgin prays the Liturgy of the Hours, receives the sacraments regularly and is faithful to private prayer. She also prays for the bishop and clergy, and the needs of her diocese.

How the Vocation is Lived

Consecrated virginity is a distinct form of consecrated life in the Church; it is a vocation totally and completely on its own. While it is related to other forms of consecrated life, it is not identical to any of them; nor is it a stepping stone to these other forms of consecrated life.

The consecrated virgin lives this vocation individually, totally and completely in the world. She wears no special garb, and has no special title. (The only external symbol, the insignia of consecration, is a wedding ring.) She is responsible for her own needs (medical care, retirement resources, employment, pension, etc.); she earns her own living; at no time is her diocese financially responsible for her.

The consecrated virgin is free to choose her own way to serve the Church, according to her natural gifts and talents. Consecrated virgins usually volunteer their time to their local parish, diocese, a Church-sponsored association, social or civic responsibilities. It is her bishop who approves the conditions under which the consecrated virgin lives her vocation.

The order of virgins is also to be added to these forms of consecrated life. Through their pledge to follow Christ more closely, virgins are consecrated to God, mystically espoused to Christ and dedicated to the service of the Church, when the diocesan Bishop consecrates them according to the approved liturgical rite.
Canon 604
The Code of Canon Law

Requirements for Consecration

The norms for admittance to the Rite of Consecration state the following:

• that they have never been married or lived in public or open violation of chastity
• that by their age, prudence, and universally attested good character they give assurance of perseverance in a life of chastity dedicated to the service of the Church and of their neighbour
• that they be admitted to this consecration by the bishop who is the local Ordinary

It is for the bishop to decide on the conditions under which women living in the world are to undertake a life of perpetual virginity.

It is assumed that a woman who wishes to be consecrated has lived tranquilly for a number of years a private resolve of perpetual virginity for the sake of Christ. A period of discernment and preparation precedes the Consecration.

The Consecration is irrevocable. It constitutes the virgin in a particular state of holiness; it is a definitive act on the part of the Church. Because of these facts, the virgin presenting herself for Consecration must be mature and ready to embrace this vocation for a lifetime. The Church has never stated an upper age limit.

The candidate for Consecration practices her faith, accepts the teaching of Scripture and the Church. She has a vibrant and grounded spiritual life, possesses a capacity and readiness for personal growth, and is able to give herself totally to God and the Church.

Comparison of Consecrated Virgins Living in the World with Religious Profession

The Consecration of Virgins	Religious Profession
The virgin is consecrated (dedicated) by God; passive; is open to and surrenders to God's action	The virgin consecrates (dedicates) herself to God; active; a binding of oneself to certain actions, a legal contract
The bishop receives the virgin in the name of Christ for the Church	Vows are received by the superior or bishop in the name of the Church
Presupposes the promise (resolve) of perpetual virginity	The vow of chastity is made
The virgin lives in the world in a lifestyle that does not endanger or hinder her fulfillment of her role and position in the Church	By vows of obedience and poverty the religious binds herself to live in community
As the Church is bride of Christ (Eph. 5:23-33), the consecrated virgin is the visible sign of this brideship and becomes in a special way an open channel of blessings for the whole Church	The religious becomes a special servant of the Church according to the purpose of her Order or Congregation
She is morally obliged to live in accord with the graces received at Consecration. She is to live in the state of one espoused to Christ, i.e., to make action in union with Christ the substance of her daily living	She is morally obliged to fulfill the promises of her vows according to their interpretation by her Order or Congregation

Read more at the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins:
www.consecratedvirgins.org

Information on this page is courtesy:
Rosanna Golino
consecrated_virgins@vocations.ca