A Question About Becoming a Consecrated Virgin

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Saint_Gemma

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I once read that the Catholic definition of a virgin is one who has never voluntarily experienced sexual pleasure. Does this mean that someone who has done so can’t become a consecrated virgin?
 
Saint_Gemma said:
I once read that the Catholic definition of a virgin is one who has never voluntarily experienced sexual pleasure. Does this mean that someone who has done so can’t become a consecrated virgin?
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How is sexual pleasure defined though? It’s certainly possible without technically (or by 98% of other definitions) losing one’s virginity.
 
By voluntarily experiencing sexual pleasure I mean impure thoughts and self-abuse.
 
Saint_Gemma said:
By voluntarily experiencing sexual pleasure I mean impure thoughts and self-abuse.
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Again, impure thoughts and self abuse don’t constitute losing one’s virginity, sinful though they may be. Not by 99.9% of dictionary definitions of the word.

If that were the case, you would be hard pressed to find even half a diozen virgins walking on the face of the earth! I wouldn’t trust your definition. In any case it would be the Bishop, most likely, who would decide whether you fit the criteria - ask him!
 
First of all, www.consecratedvirgins.org is the official website for the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins. Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, Mo. is their episcopal moderator. All of the information about this vocation that is contained in the website is official church teaching on the subject. One of the specific requirements for consecration is that :
Code: 
  "The woman (this vocation is not open to men) may never have been married (no widows) or lived in open violation of chasity."
Interpretation of what that means is open to the candidate and, to some extent, her bishop. I would gently suggest to the OP that she seek competent spiritual direction in the interpretation of exactly what that means in her life and not to jump to conclusions that may be too scrupulous depending on her situation.

Proof of viriginity for this vocation consists in anecdotal evidence via letters of recommendation by people who know the candidate well, autobiographically information given by the candiadate, baptismal certficate information (proof that they were never married in the church and have received all of the sacraments proper to there state in life) and interviews with the bishop and appropriate diocesan officials.
 
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