Male Consecrated Virgins?

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First, I heard that anyone anticipating entering religious life, or starting a new community, was not encouraged to make private vows. Doing so would be an impediment.

Then, I heard that canon law makes no provision for private vows, after a bunch of people stated on another public forum that they wanted to do so.

Who is right?
 
Cloisters said:
First, I heard that anyone anticipating entering religious life, or starting a new community, was not encouraged to make private vows. Doing so would be an impediment.
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In what sense are you using the word impediment?

Canon Law is straight forward.
Can. 1198 Vows made before religious profession are suspended while the person who made the vow remains in the religious institute.
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I’m using impediment in the sense that a person who has made private vows is not permitted to enter a religious institute – at all. I was told this by two persons who were supposed to be “in the know.”

Just from my limited experience with the Visitation, and a Third Order member having sought admission to one of the former’s communities, I was told that I would be released from the Third Order when it came time for final profession. And this is what I tell others, as well.

While on the subject, what would a Third Order member who is part of a new community do as far as their commitment is concerned when it came time for vows?
 
Cloisters said:
The Congregation condemning an idea?
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Yes…when it is not in conformity with an established element under the jurisdiction of the Congregation such as, for example, issues involving enclosure or independent monasteries.
 
Cloisters said:
You’re the first one who has raised an objection to the concept.
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The matter is easy to resolve: direct your query to the Congregation directly.

“Is there any circumstance in which the Congregation would consider a petition by a group of male faithful to allow them, as males, to receive the Rite of Consecration of Virgins according to what is established in the Roman Pontifical?”
 
I never said anything about the males receiving the Rite of Consecration of Virgins. What I was trying to say was that they would look at everything the women were doing and benchmark on it. There is a huge difference.
 
Cloisters said:
I’m using impediment in the sense that a person who has made private vows is not permitted to enter a religious institute – at all. I was told this by two persons who were supposed to be “in the know.”
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That is not correct at all…under several titles. A person who has made private vows would encounter one of two situations, if they enter an Institute of Consecrated Life…the private vow being dispensed according to the provision of Canon 1196 or simply allowing Canon 1198 to resolve the matter, by act of the law itself.

One is always free to pass to a more intense form of consecrated life. Members of Third Orders would have no obstacle in entering an Institute of Perfection. An active Sister can petition to enter enclosed life. And so forth.
Cloisters said:
Just from my limited experience with the Visitation, and a Third Order member having sought admission to one of the former’s communities, I was told that I would be released from the Third Order when it came time for final profession. And this is what I tell others, as well.
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Essentially, that answer would still be correct.
Cloisters said:
While on the subject, what would a Third Order member who is part of a new community do as far as their commitment is concerned when it came time for vows?
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This is an interesting question. Universal law changed in the designations and the prohibition between the 1917 code and the 1983 code…the 1983 code being more open. The matter thus devolves to particular law involving the Third Order and particular law concerning the Institute of Consecrated Life.
 
Cloisters said:
I never said anything about the males receiving the Rite of Consecration of Virgins. What I was trying to say was that they would look at everything the women were doing and benchmark on it. There is a huge difference.
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Well I am answering based on two points.
  1. The original poster asked “Are males able to become consecrated virgins?”
    and
  2. Your post which said “My organization proposes a New Movement which would be called the Consecrates of St John the Beloved. They would be consecrated male virgins.” The only avenue by which virgins can be consecrated involves a prelate consecrating them.
There is no provision for imparting this consecration to a man — not simply because of the law but because of the history and, above all, the theology of consecrated virgins.
 
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My apologies. I misspoke. My organization has a CV on-staff who said she would be willing to assist this project in any way possible. I have put up a website, but those who are going to live the charism are the ones who will have to do the footwork. I’ve not had time to look at what the CVs are doing, and also researching the secular institutes who consecrate their male virgins. That will be the job of those attracted to the charism.

But, yes, there is such a thing as consecrated male virgins, but not according to the Rite. The secular institutes have consecrated female virgins, as well.
 
Cloisters said:
and also researching the secular institutes who consecrate their male virgins. That will be the job of those attracted to the charism.

But, yes, there is such a thing as consecrated male virgins, but not according to the Rite. The secular institutes have consecrated female virgins, as well.
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No. They don’t.

There seems to be a breakdown here in both theology and in canon law. And this is a major problem when one is dealing with topics this important – it is people’s lives.
Cloisters said:
researching the secular institutes who consecrate their male virgins
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An institute CANNOT consecrate virgins. Only a prelate can consecrate a virgin. It is a specific term in theology and in canon law.
Can. 604 §1. Similar to these forms of consecrated life is the order of virgins who, expressing the holy resolution of following Christ more closely, are consecrated to God by the diocesan bishop according to the approved liturgical rite, are mystically betrothed to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the service of the Church.
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Cloisters said:
But, yes, there is such a thing as consecrated male virgins, but not according to the Rite.
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Again, they can not be consecrated apart from the Rite. That is the only means by which the Church consecrates a virgin. The Holy See is very clear on that point. So clear, I do not know how they could make it any clearer – to those who are reading what the law and the rite actually says in its specific formulations.

If you are in this work, then – of all people – you should know that exactness of formulation is the difference between correctness and a horrendous error.

I do not know how to say that any more clearly. One cannot simply bandy language about without using the precision that the law and the theology that underlies a topic demands.

There is a difference between a Catholic hermit and a Catholic who is living a eremetical life. They are two profoundly different realities, in terms of Canon Law and their status in the Church.
 
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When it comes to new charisms, new ecclesial movements and new forms of Consecrated Life, it is critical that the norms laid forth in Iuvenescit Ecclesia are being attentively followed and complied with. As this document states:
  1. Among the charismatic gifts, freely distributed by the Holy Spirit, many are received and lived out by persons within the Christian community who have no need of particular regulations. When, however, a gift presents itself as a “founding” or “originating charism”, this requires a specific recognition so that the richness it contains may be adequately articulated within the ecclesial communion and faithfully transmitted over time. Here emerges the decisive task of discernment that appertains to the ecclesial authorities.[65] Recognizing the authenticity of a charism is not always an easy task, it is, nonetheless, a dutiful service that pastors are required to fulfill. The faithful have “the right to be informed by their pastors about the authenticity of charisms and the trustworthiness of those who present themselves as recipients thereof”.[66] These authorities should, to this end, bear in mind the unforeseeable nature of the charisms inspired by the Holy Spirit and evaluate them according to the rule of faith with the intention of building up the Church.[67] This process is time-consuming. It requires an adequate period to pass in order to authenticate the charisms, which must be submitted to serious discernment until they are recognized as genuine. The reality of the group that arises from the charism must have the proper time to grow and mature. This would extend beyond the period of initial enthusiasm until a stable configuration arises. In this whole itinerary of verification, the authority of the Church must benevolently accompany the new group. The pastor’s accompaniment will never diminish, because, just as the solicitous love of the Good Shepherd always accompanies the flock, so too the paternity of those in the Church called to be vicars of the Good Shepherd never wanes.
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http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...aith_doc_20160516_iuvenescit-ecclesia_en.html
 
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So…what am I supposed to do when a virgin male wants to consecrate his virginity to Christ? Private vows?
 
How many different definitions of consecration are there? There are self-guided Marian consecrations; consecrations that secular institutes make of their members; and the CVs.

IMHO a man can personally consecrate his virginity to Christ and call it happy. A lot of guys doing this can live together in Christian fellowship (also known as beghards).
 
I think this has been pretty well answered. No, a man cannot receive the Consecration to a Life of Virginity Lived in the World (even less so, the nearly parallel rite written for nuns). Such women make up the Ordo Virginum. They are given the title Bride of Christ. They image the whole Church in their persons as Virgin, Bride, and Mother.

Yes, through his baptism, he shares in the common bridehood of the faithful. He may still possess the gift of virginity and intend to dedicate it for the Lord’s purposes. However, he is not properly equipped to be a CV as we have come to understand them. To repurpose a quote from Peter Kreeft, “Only girls can be Mommies.”
 
What are often called “consecrated virgins”, referring to Brides of Christ who are female virgins who have been espoused to Christ by their bishop cannot be replicated with a “male” version. This vocation is completely about being Bride of Christ and all that entails. Female virgins in this vocation do not “consecrate their virginity”. They receive the sacramental of consecration FROM the bishop. In my dissertation which I hope to defend soon, I write about why male consecrated virgins or the idea of consecrated singlehood is theologically unsound.
 
I have this situation under my own roof with my own son desiring virginity for the sake of the Kingdom, as stated in 1 Corinthians. In another thread, I breached the subject of “men’s orders who build”. Thankfully, there have been more charitable responses to that thread.

If I could actually be heard as to what I’m trying to say about accommodating virgin males who wish to consecrate their virginity to the Lord I’d appreciate it. They see the CVs, and are wanting much the same for themselves. I already acknowledge the fact that they cannot receive the Rite of Consecration which is reserved for the women. Could we please get past that?

I had a discussion with the first guy who came forth for our male virgin charism. (He has since found his spouse). In a world that is so impure, their self-consecration of their virginity to the Lord would be a sign to the world. Many women today are not capable of being good wives. The guys are turning to the Lord, and are wanting to give example of Christian purity. All of this can be done as a lay association and dedicated laity. And if that’s the way we have to go to do this, then so be it. I will assist these young men who are desirous of a dedicated life of virginity in the world. Who knows where the Lord will take them afterward? As I said above, one young man was led to his wife.

So, please, enough of the lambasting. Thank you.
 
I know that it is a personal devotion. The Church neither discourages nor encourages this type of devotion unless we are talking about monastic orders. But in lay life it is up to you there is no need for a special ceremony.
 
Many people want single people to be able to be consecrated persons. They look to the Rite of Consecration of Virgins and think that they want it for themselves or others. They want men (virgins or not) and women who are not virgins to be able to become consecrated individuals. In short, people seem to believe that the Church is merely behind the times in not creating “consecrated singlehood”. After all, if the Church has consecrated (female) virgins, why not expand the pool to all other singles? In my dissertation I explain why I believe this is theologically impossible outside the structures already in place in the Church or will be for canon 605 configurations. It is too nuanced to put out in this forum but will be available when it is put in published form.

Also, consecrated virginity is not a stepping stone to religious life or to a prospective spouse. It’s one thing to be a purity ring bearer, basically pledging to remain continent until/unless a spouse comes along, and another thing to commit to virginity (or, in the case of those who have lost their virginity, perfect chastity) for all of their life. There are many paths out there for men. There is no requirement that they need to be consecrated in order to get to Heaven. They can be dedicated laymen… There are plenty of groups which help keep Catholic men good men.
 
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