A personal vow of chastity

[Don_Ruggero]

I kind of wish this was a more well-known form of consecrated life. I’ve been wondering if I might be called to consecrated virginity, but it’s virtually unheard of here. The only options I’ve been presented with are religious life as a sister or a member of a third order, and neither of those seem to fit well with what I feel called to do.

Presuming you live in the United States, have you been in contact with the US Association of Consecrated Virgins for information as well as for their reflections on your circumstances?

http://consecratedvirgins.org/

 

[casslean]

Thank you for this information, but I’m Canadian. I have been on their website in the past to learn more about consecrated virginity, but if there are analogous resources here in Canada, I’m not able to find them. .

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Thank you for this information, but I’m Canadian. I have been on their website in the past to learn more about consecrated virginity, but if there are analogous resources here in Canada, I’m not able to find them.

Ah! Now I understand your situation a bit better. Have you spoken with your diocese’s Episcopal Vicar for Relgious/those in Consecrated Life? They would be the one responsible for Consecrated Virgins…and might be a resource for you as well as a potential advocate for you and this vocation.

 

[casslean]

Ah! Now I understand your situation a bit better. Have you spoken with your diocese’s Episcopal Vicar for Relgious/those in Consecrated Life? They would be the one responsible for Consecrated Virgins…and might be a resource for you as well as a potential advocate for you and this vocation.

We don’t have anyone in the diocese with that title. Our episcopal vicars are assigned to manage certain geographic areas in the diocese. We also don’t have a vocations director for the diocese, save for a contact for young men who want to become priests. Women are generally advised to contact one of the religious orders in the area. I did spend some time working with one of the religious orders, and while I loved the people I met, it didn’t feel like where I was supposed to be.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

We don’t have anyone in the diocese with that title. Our episcopal vicars are assigned to manage certain geographic areas in the diocese. We also don’t have a vocations director for the diocese, save for a contact for young men who want to become priests. Women are generally advised to contact one of the religious orders in the area. I did spend some time working with one of the religious orders, and while I loved the people I met, it didn’t feel like where I was supposed to be.

Oh my. Even in a small curia, it would be remarkable to have no diocesan official designated as a liaison for those in consecrated life.

In that case, have you thought of contacting the Canadian Religious Conference? Though they are occupied by Religious, they would properly be concerned about those who are, canonically, either a consecrated virgin or a diocesan hermit. Their contact information is:

Canadian Religious Conference | Service for Members of the Canadian Church | CRC

All CRC activities, news and resources. The Canadian Religious Conference is an association of leaders of Catholic and religious congregations in Canada.

crc-canada.org

 

[casslean]

Oh my. Even in a small curia, it would be remarkable to have no diocesan official designated as a liaison for those in consecrated life.

Vocations development (or the lack thereof) has been a contentious issue in this diocese. We do have some amazing religious orders, thankfully, even if they weren’t very helpful for me.

In that case, have you thought of contacting the Canadian Religious Conference? Though they are occupied by Religious, they would properly be concerned about those who are, canonically, either a consecrated virgin or a diocesan hermit.

This is the first I’m learning of this organization. I’ll look into it. Thank you so much for the help!

 

[Don_Ruggero]

This is the first I’m learning of this organization. I’ll look into it. Thank you so much for the help!

I am sorry you are traveling this road alone and with so little help.

I would also suggest reaching out to the National Association of Vocation and Formation Directors to see if they can help you.

http://vocations.ca/national_association_of_vocation_and_formation_directors/

If this does not bear fruit, I would then suggest opening a dialogue with one of the larger metropolitan sees…such as Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto or Vancouver. The Archbishops of those sees have acted favorably towards petitions for this consecration and thereby have demonstrated an understanding of this vocation and its importance in the Church. They may have advice to offer you in your concrete situation.

Consecrated virgin tells her story

Jennifer Waroway, a consecrated virgin tells her story

www.catholicregister.org

https://www.catholicregister.org/features/call-to-service/item/17000-physical-challenges-don’t-hinder-lori-kemp’s-faith

Or even the Diocese of Hamilton…which at least has one.

https://hamiltondiocese.com/uploads/docs/heart-to-heart/January30_2015_191.pdf

 

[Greenfields]

This has given me something constructive to consider,once again I’m possibly facing divorce and a petition for Anulment and to have some sort of structured commitment and spiritual guidance and protection would be wonderful while living my life out as a seperated person.

 

[casslean]

I am sorry you are traveling this road alone and with so little help.

I would also suggest reaching out to the National Association of Vocation and Formation Directors to see if they can help you.

http://vocations.ca/national_association_of_vocation_and_formation_directors/

If this does not bear fruit, I would then suggest opening a dialogue with one of the larger metropolitan sees…such as Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto or Vancouver. The Archbishops of those sees have acted favorably towards petitions for this consecration and thereby have demonstrated an understanding of this vocation and its importance in the Church. They may have advice to offer you in your concrete situation.

Thank you for these suggestions!

It hadn’t occurred to me to reach out to other places - I thought I was constrained to only dealing with people within my own diocese. We are expected to have several significant changes in diocesan management in the next couple of years, and so I had thought I would continue to work on my spiritual development on my own, and with my pastor’s help, and hope that the new bishop might change the diocesan approach to vocations. But this is certainly offering many more options to pursue. Thank you!

 

[mercymain]

The Archdiocese of Denver recently consecrated a virgin as well!