Do any of you know a consecrated widow?

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I don’t know of any consecrated widows. I do remember a story of a wealthy widow in US in recent years who became a holy hermit. Not sure if she was consecrated. I’ll see if I can find it.

This consecrated business is so amorphous that I myself decided I’d rather just join a third order.
 
Where I am, the drive to the meetings for any 3rd Order makes it a non-starter for me. No car.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
This consecrated business is so amorphous that I myself decided I’d rather just join a third order.
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Consecrated Widows Conference with Pope Francis

Your consecration in widowhood, noted Pope Francis, “is a gift that the Lord gives to his Church to remind all the baptized that the power of his merciful love is a path of life and holiness, which allows us to overcome trials and be reborn in hope and in the joy of the Gospel.”

from


I guess I am trying to say it is different to laity consecrating themselves to The Blessed Mother, which is technically more like a custodianship, a being looked after and guided by.
 
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What I meant is that it lacks the structure of a third order, at least for me.

In any event, I’m pretty sure I’m called elsewhere. And not because I’m interested in meeting men, because I’m not. I’m just called elsewhere.
 
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I think it’s a beautiful vocation if you feel called to it.

There is a community for widows call the Family of Jacopa or something along those lines. They are Franciscan. IIRC, some are consecrated widows and some are late vocation nuns. I believe the foundress was a member here for a time.

https://familyofjacopa.wordpress.com/
 
Tis_Bearself said:
What I meant is that it lacks the structure of a third order, at least for me.
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It is very structured and the Consecrated person is under the formation and instruction and direction of their Bishop. There are commitments that must be met. Obedience and vows and rule of life to be observed. For her, she felt called to this type of vocation.
Third Order formation and obligation requirements, rule of life, will depend on which order and for some Orders, whether Perpetual Vows (promises) have been taken. Things like Commitments to praying the Office, observing Feasts and Ember Days and obligation to internal prayers. The Legion of Mary , a Public Association of the Faithful, has several branches a person can join, as an affiliate the commitment is a set of Prayers and the Rosary, to become more involved , the commitment is a weekly meeting and some form of works.

The beauty of our Faith is there is a place for all, and God calls individuals to a variety of areas. God likes variety as Bishop Barron says 🙂

I wish you well in your vocation and calling.
 
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Actual consecrated widows need to work with their local bishop, and benchmark what the consecrated virgins do where formation is concerned.

The Family of Jacopa is an emerging religious community comprised mainly of widows who minister to widows in their diocese.

The only sites I’ve found concerning consecrated widows are Episcopalian, and not entirely in alignment with Gospel teachings.

So, that being said, if one desires consecrated widowhood, investigate the Consecrated Virgins website, and formulate one’s Personal Prayer Rule.

The Society of Our Lady of the Trinity, a society of apostolic life, has “consecrated widows,” but a person in-the-know said they are actually dedicated laity.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/holyangels/id9.html/
 
It’s possible to become a nun though when widowed? Sorry to hi-jack discussion. This is something I’ve thought of for a while. My husband is very much still with us though!
 
Some orders will take widows. It also depends on how old the widowed lady is. A widowed 19-year-old might have more options available than a widowed 49-year-old, because orders generally think it’s more difficult for older women to go through the necessary formation.
 
Catch-22 in both instances. The New Testament says for young widows to remarry because of the fornication/adultery going on among them. The Order of Widows was originally similar to modern social security – financial support for the widows. They were highly encouraged to remarry.

The young widows, if left with no dependents, are free to enter the convent. Post-menopausal widows, again, with no impediments, usually were, too. The Daughters of Charity; the Setonian Sisters of Charity; and the Grey Nuns of Canada, were founded by widows, as was the Visitation. @Nunsuch could probably weigh in on this.
 
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Many, MANY communities were founded by widows. And at least 4 in the US were founded by divorcees. I don’t think women need to be “post-menopausal” to enter religious life as widows. I could provide more detail at another time, but I need to prepare my syllabi for next semester, which begins on Monday, so time is limited right now.
 
Cloisters said:
The Society of Our Lady of the Trinity, a society of apostolic life, has “consecrated widows,” but a person in-the-know said they are actually dedicated laity.
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I was going to mention SOLT, but when I went to their website I could not find any mention of them.

I do remember watching a video published by SOLT that mentioned Widows.
 
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I confess I had never heard of consecrated widowhood but I do think that it is a beautiful idea.
 
My friend who is a consecrated widow is a beautiful woman, she has experienced a lot of hardship, and works diligently in her apostolates for God.

Again I recommend anyone wanting to consider going down this path, talk with their Bishop as he will be who they are obedient too.
 
Thanks for all who responded. It was my desire to communicate with some one who has taken this path, or, explored it and decided against it.

I’ve known a couple of ladies over past years, they are now very disabled and not available for conversations. I wanted to talk about living in the secular world, working, etc.
 
Have you reached out to your diocese? Perhaps the vocations director can help put you in touch with someone in your diocese or nearby? Alternatively, perhaps you could reach out to The Family of Jacopa to see if they have a consecrated widow you can talk to?
 
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