Posted on 07/13/2018 5:53:37 PM PDT by ebb tide
The document says it is 'not essential' that a woman should have 'kept her body in perfect continence'
The US Association of Consecrated Virgins has said it is deeply disappointed at new rules issued by the Vatican that appear to say consecrated virgins need not be virgins.
The group has taken issue with section 88 of the new document, which states: Thus to have kept her body in perfect continence or to have practiced the virtue of chastity in an exemplary way, while of great importance with regard to the discernment, are not essential prerequisites in the absence of which admittance to consecration is not possible.
The USACV said it was shocking to hear from Mother Church that physical virginity may no longer be considered an essential prerequisite for consecration to a life of virginity.
The entire tradition of the Church has firmly upheld that a woman must have received the gift of virginity that is, both material and formal (physical and spiritual) in order to receive the consecration of virgins, the association added.
They said that the new rules do not change the prerequisites for consecration as stated in the Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity, which says: In the case of virgins leading lives in the world it is required that they have never celebrated marriage and that they have not publicly or manifestly lived in a state contrary to chastity.
The USACV says that this means virginity is a minimum requirement for consecration, and they add that there are some egregious violations of chastity that, although they do not violate virginity, do disqualify women from receiving consecration.
The Vatican issued the document, titled Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, last week after requests from bishops throughout the world for clarity on the role of consecrated virgins amid an upsurge in vocations.
A consecrated virgin is a woman who has never married who pledges perpetual virginity and dedicates her life to God. Unlike a nun, she does not live in a community and leads a secular life, providing for her own needs.
Then this begs the question of what avenue of consecration someone like Mary Magdalene would enter, who was neither widowed nor physically a virgin.
Well, as Catholics we respect tradition. Regardless, even if she were non-virginal, it does not necessarily mean to the point of prostitution. That is rightly questionable...but what isn't questionable are the numbers of early Christian women (and men for that matter, like St. Augustine of Hippo) who were formerly prostitutes and then lived monastic lives...
clarifying: Saint Augustine of Hippo was not a male prostitute, but he was open about having had an active sexual past in his “Confessions.”
Honestly, I had to look twice to make sure this story wasn't satire. It's ridiculous. It is friggin' lunacy.
The consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ is a forward and permanent progression.
However, you can't reverse virginity, no matter how hard you argue it.
So why then call them "virgins"?
Do you tell your your neighbors that your pet cat is a dog?
You seem to be conflating chastity and virginity.
Welcome to francischurch where non-virgins are called virgins, adultery is OK, active homos have to be "accompanied" in their wicked lifestyles, etc.
Some religious orders accept divorce/annulled women, and some don't. The director of novices or admissions would be in the best position to discuss the prospects of assuming vows following divorce.
The complicating factor which would give most orders pause, would be children. If a woman has children in the home, or has ongoing obligations concerning child support, that would probably prevent her taking vows in most congregations of women religious.
Other than religious orders, a woman might want to think of becoming an Oblate, a Lay Associate, or a member of a Third Order. I think there would be greater diversity in terms of the requirements of the various group: they are not all alike.
St. Mary Magdalene was possessed by I believe ten demons. She was NOT a prostitute.
See #31
Mary Magdalene's Journey out of Fear to Easter Faith
Relic of Saint Mary Magdalene...Makes First North American Tour
St. Mary Magdalen
Scholars seek to correct Christian tradition on Mary Magdalene
Christ Transforms Those He Meets, Says Pope - Speaks of Mary Magdalene
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
Straight Answers: Who Was Mary Magdalene?
Saint Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene, a chaste, virgin, the hand maid of the Lord!
Saint Mary Magdalene,The Beautiful Penitent
A virgin really is a virgin physically. The word refers to a physical status, not a moral status.
It’s like being “tall”. You may be lowly in your attitude, but if you’re tall, you’re tall.
There might be some confusion here between “virgin” and “chaste”. Not all virgins are chaste. And not all chaste women are virgins. The terms are not synonymous.
I think non-virgin women in the Church are called holy women.
And “Servant of God,” like Dorothy Day. Neither a virgin nor a widow, she turned from sin and gave her whole life to God. Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Dorothy as a model of conversion. She will probably soon be a canonized saint.
I think Mary Magdalene was given a special title: Penitent.
>>Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute. That is tradition not based on scripture.<<
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100% agree.
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