Question - Consecration of Virginity

[anind]

Hi. I’m not sure this is the correct forum for this question. I just joined today in hope of getting an answer.

I’d like to know the teaching/tradtion/learned opinion regarding the part of the Solemn Vow ceremony for women which includes and “espousal” and/or consecration of virginity and/or the rite of Consecration of Virginity as a “stand alone"event”. For instance Carthusian nuns receive the consecration from a Bishop (differing from the "pontifical) 4 years after their vows.

What about former wives/mothers - widows or perhaps those who have received an annullment - do they properly receive the consecration during the vows ceremenoy? Are the eligible for the Consecration? What about a woman who has fallen into sexual sin, confessed it and moved on…but has not lived “publically” in sexual sin?

I heard it said that the consecration is about “spiritual virginity” but that just doesn’t quite sound right to me…though I fully admit I could be wrong or overly scrupulous in this regard.

Can someone help me to understand and/or direct me to someone who can give me an authoritative answer? While I appreciate opinions and even have one of my own (who doesn’t?) I’m looking more for a “legal” or “doctrinal” teaching on this one.

Thanks so much.

 

[MFTM]

First of all, the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins website www.consecratedvirgins.org has a wealth of information about this vocation and its history. It should answer all your questions. Secondly, one does have to physically be a virgin and a woman to receive this consecration and therefore never married. There are other vocations for women in the positions that you site. Consecrated widows, secular instititutes and various religious orders are some suggestions.

 

[SerraSemper]

The Vatican called an international congress of consecrated virgins last month in Rome where about 500 virgins attended from 52 countries. During this congress, one of the speakers read a response from the Vatican which indicated that only physical virgins (except those who were victims of rape or incest) are eligible for the consecration. The publication of this talk will take place hopefully in a few months by the Vatican publishing house.

At any rate, in the Ritual itself, only those have “never been married” are able to receive the consecration and the term includes civil and invalid marriages.

With respect to the consecration of virgins given to religious, it is only given to those who are physical virgins. This is why, for example, widowed religious are not permitted to receive it.

Hope this helps!

 

[MFTM]

Bump

 

[anind]

Thanks for the responses.

Would someone please tell me what “bump” means?

Thanks again.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Thanks for the responses.

Would someone please tell me what “bump” means?

Thanks again.

I will have a try! When there have been no posts into a thread it recedes lower and lower on the list of “current threads” according to the date of the last post into the thread, until it will die a natural death as it were due to the lack of posts. “Bumping” is a way of simply bringing a ‘dying’ thread into current again by posting a “Bump” post. I think it might be against CAF rules, unsure - you may want to check. I hope that may help, although I am only a learner with computers myself more or less.

You will notice that before the “Bump” post into this thread the last post was on lst July…the “Bump” post was posted on 5th. July, which makes the thread appear with the ‘current threads’ again.

I hope I have things right!

Blessings and regards…Barb