Posted on 01/26/2009 1:54:51 PM PST by NYer
I stumbled on this blog the other day: Sponsa Christi, which contains reflections from a newly consecrated virgin, a 23-year-old young woman who hopes to pursue a career in theology or canon law. (Above is a picture from her rite of consecration -- complete with deacons! -- earlier this month.)
Surf around the site and you'll find fascinating stuff about this unusual (and often misunderstood) calling, plus an account of her own vocation story. There's also this clear and concise description:
Modern consecrated virgins are solemnly consecrated by the local diocesan bishop (or by a delegated auxiliary bishop) within the context of the revised rite. The bishop is the one who grants permission for women to receive this consecration, as well as the one who determines the concrete circumstances under which they are to live their consecrated lives. Consecrated virgins remain directly under his authority, unlike religious sisters who are ordinarily accountable to the superiors of their religious community.Congratulations and prayerful good wishes to "Sponsa Christi"!
Besides life-long celibacy, the only formal obligation of a consecrated virgin is prayer, especially for the people, clergy, and bishop of her diocese. During the Rite of Consecration a consecrated virgin is also given the responsibility to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church.
While consecrated virgins are expected to live simply, they do not take vows of poverty and must support themselves financially. Because of this, they are not required to take on any specific ministry. However, they are still called to be “dedicated to the service of God and the Church.”
Consecrated virgins exist in the Church today for the same reason that consecrated people have always existed—to be a living sign and witness of the love Christ has for His people.
Ping!
I feel bad that I just posted that. This young woman is obviously a holy person and I wish her the best.
Isn't that what its all about?
God Bless her.
It means that she will not marry.
Beautiful post and story.
The problem with this is that it elevates lifelong virginity over service to God in all spheres of life, including your sexuality.
That is one of my issues with Catholicism.....compartmentalism of spirituality and the rest of life.
We are to do all things for God’s glory, even scrub the toilets....yes, even sex is for God’s glory within the context of marriage.
Being married for nearly about a year-and-a-half now, I have only recently began to truly understand the wonder of marriage and everything in it, including sex. It is a wonderful thing that points to the glorious unity of Christ and his body, the holy catholic church.
I do NOT diminish the lives of those who chose to dedicate themselves to God by being nuns, virgins etc. I respect that greatly, and this young woman clearly loves the Lord.
But, I think the concept of separating yourself from the “normal” things of life is just not correct. Christ did not avoid life. He lived a perfect life with all the temptations we face and because of his victory, now we are considered acceptable in the sight of a holy God.
Again, I admire this young woman to dedicate herself completely to God. May He guide her and help her to serve him mightily.
"An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband." ~ 1 Corinthians 7:34
Christ did not avoid life. He lived a perfect life with all the temptations we face and because of his victory, now we are considered acceptable in the sight of a holy God.
Christ never married, nor did he lie with women. Sex and marriage are not necessary to live a full human life - some are called to pursue such a life, some are not. It is that simple, and neither is "right."
I don’t find your post to be offensive, but I disagree. She does this as a sign to others of the responsibility to be chaste, thoroughly forgotten in this age of decay. She does leave herself open to accusation of hypocracy, should she stumble, as the adversary loves to point out the human failings of the saints of God. I wish her all the best.
My observation is that an unmarried woman is anxious about how she can please a man to the point that he'll marry her, and a virgin over a certain age is anxious about how she can change her status.
I knew two consecrated virgins in the Diocese of Plymouth (UK).
Great people.
To quote Les Miserables...
“A beautiful nun is a terrible tragedy”
Prayers for her.
Oh dear. I suppose I’ll never understand the Latin Church, especially in its American form. I am, no doubt, the only one who sees this as prideful, as a method of calling attention to herself. I say this as this consecration is broadcast on an internet blog! She should be in a monastery.
A beautiful nun is the most beautiful creature on the planet.
Tsk! To judge! Pray for her that she will keep her vows.
She's not "calling attention to herself" any more than a postulant nun would be.
With all due respect, especially sex within holy matrimony is for God's glory.
Being married for nearly about a year-and-a-half now, I have only recently began to truly understand the wonder of marriage and everything in it, including sex. It is a wonderful thing that points to the glorious unity of Christ and his body, the holy catholic church.
Exactly right, and in fact, it points to the consummation of that unity in heaven.
Which is precisely why the ancient churches have monks, nuns, and celibate clerics. Sex within marriage is important, sacred, beautiful, and holy ... and so celibates offer it, all of it, for their whole lives, directly to God.
After all, if you're going to give God a sacrifice, don't you want to give him the very best thing you have to give him? Or should you give him some junk that you happened to have lying around?
Another way this is explained sometimes is that married sexuality is a sign of heaven, but celibates skip the sign and go directly to the heavenly reality here on earth. Because, after all, in heaven we will remain sexual beings, but sexual acts themselves will not exist. Our pleasure and bliss will come from our perfect intimacy with God, not our imperfect intimacy with our spouses.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.