Question on consecrated virginity

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ChibiViolet

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Would it be okay for someone who habitually commits venial sins to become a consecrated virgin? What if despite all the venial sins, it’s rare for them to commit a mortal sin, or they don’t commit it at all?
 
I don’t know very many people who don’t habitually commit venial sins…
 
If someone is a virgin and wants to be a consecrated virgin but made venial sins and mortal sins in their live but not related to virginity and they repented why can’t they become consecrated … I don’t see where’s the problem in that. But i might not be sure … let’s wait till someone has the answer.
 
The main criteria for a CV is that she never voluntarily gave away her virginity.
Her virginity must be intact. And if she is accepted by her bishop as a CV she is acknowledging her desire to remain perpetually a virgin. Whether someone habitually commits mortal or venial sins is a matter for the confessional.
 
The reason that I asked was that consecrated virgins are supposed to be obedient to the Church and I thought that that would mean trying to obey all ten commandments to the best of her ability.
 
ChibiViolet said:
The reason that I asked was that consecrated virgins are supposed to be obedient to the Church and I thought that that would mean trying to obey all ten commandments to the best of her ability.
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It’s just as you said: “to the best of her ability.” That’s true for all of us --laymen and religious, consecrated virgins are no different. We all do the best we can to avoid sin, but we fall nevertheless and come back in repentance.

It’s certainly a good idea for women in discernment to be living chastely, in consideration of what the vocation calls for. Of course, we are all called to live in chastity, but generally, those considering becoming CVs should do their best to live chastely during their time of discernment. If a woman has issues with daily masturbation/lustful thoughts for example, and it’s a serious habit she can’t break, she will need to ask herself whether or not she is ready to commit to living out the vocation* at this point in time*… But even if a person is struggling, she can still will to start living chastely now and that’s just as important.

Anyway, everyone commits venial sins. I’d be more worried if someone said she’s never committed a sin. 😃

Those who are considering becoming CVs should try finding a spiritual director to help them during discernment.
 
Proverbs 24:16:
for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again;
but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

We all sin, the just man 7 times a day! That is why the Lord left us the Church and the sacraments.
 
Virga said:
It’s just as you said: “to the best of her ability.” That’s true for all of us --laymen and religious, consecrated virgins are no different. We all do the best we can to avoid sin, but we fall nevertheless and come back in repentance.

It’s certainly a good idea for women in discernment to be living chastely, in consideration of what the vocation calls for. Of course, we are all called to live in chastity, but generally, those considering becoming CVs should do their best to live chastely during their time of discernment. If a woman has issues with daily masturbation/lustful thoughts for example, and it’s a serious habit she can’t break, she will need to ask herself whether or not she is ready to commit to living out the vocation* at this point in time*… But even if a person is struggling, she can still will to start living chastely now and that’s just as important.

Anyway, everyone commits venial sins. I’d be more worried if someone said she’s never committed a sin. 😃

Those who are considering becoming CVs should try finding a spiritual director to help them during discernment.
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What if a woman commits venial sins a lot and has no intention to stop doing so?
 
ChibiViolet said:
What if a woman commits venial sins a lot and has no intention to stop doing so?
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No intention to stop sinning? No firm purpose of amendment? That would invalidate the sacrament of confession. Consecrated virginity is a vocation, and the path toward holiness for the person called to that vocation. One striving for holiness should have the intention to avoid sin.
 
ChibiViolet said:
I didn’t mention confession.
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Confession was my jumping off point. This is the part I will emphasize:
Consecrated virginity is a vocation, and the path toward holiness for the person called to that vocation. One striving for holiness should have the intention to avoid sin.
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ChibiViolet said:
What if a woman commits venial sins a lot and has no intention to stop doing so?
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I have to admit I’m puzzled by the idea that someone who is serious enough about their faith and virginity would not want to avoid even venial sins. I know I try to avoid sin and sometimes I think I make it a couple of days and there have been times it’s been minutes after leaving the confessional. 😊
 
Bruised_Reed said:
I have to admit I’m puzzled by the idea that someone who is serious enough about their faith and virginity would not want to avoid even venial sins. I know I try to avoid sin and sometimes I think I make it a couple of days and there have been times it’s been minutes after leaving the confessional. 😊
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I agree. It would be a contradiction to say one wishes to answer the call to the vocation of CV (or any vocation for that matter) but doesn’t intend to stop sinning.

That would be akin to saying one desires to be a vegetarian but doesn’t intend to stop eating meat. People don’t refrain from eating meat in order to become vegetarians. 😛 Many people choose to do so for ethical or health related reasons. Either way, it’s for a purpose outside of the title. Being a “vegetarian” holds no intrinsic value.

It’s the same for any vocation. The true value of being a CV, a nun, a priest, or even a saint would be nonexistent if not for the greater purpose of striving to live in perfection for God. The desire to become holy and to stop sinning out of love of God is a cornerstone for all vocations.
 
Virga said:
I agree. It would be a contradiction to say one wishes to answer the call to the vocation of CV (or any vocation for that matter) but doesn’t intend to stop sinning.

That would be akin to saying one desires to be a vegetarian but doesn’t intend to stop eating meat. People don’t refrain from eating meat in order to become vegetarians. 😛 Many people choose to do so for ethical or health related reasons. Either way, it’s for a purpose outside of the title. Being a “vegetarian” holds no intrinsic value.

It’s the same for any vocation. The true value of being a CV, a nun, a priest, or even a saint would be nonexistent if not for the greater purpose of striving to live in perfection for God. The desire to become holy and to stop sinning out of love of God is a cornerstone for all vocations.
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Well, I would like to stop committing venial sins, it’s too hard, especially when someone asks me a question and I don’t want to answer honestly. I tried years ago to not commit any sins and I got stressed out from that.

Being a consecrated virgin is totally different from being a vegetarian. A consecrated virgin has chosen to marry Jesus. A woman would choose that because she is in love with Jesus and not necessarily to the extent that she is ready to try and give up all sin, unless it is a requirement that she try and do so (in which case, she is.)
 
ChibiViolet said:
The reason that I asked was that consecrated virgins are supposed to be obedient to the Church and I thought that that would mean trying to obey all ten commandments to the best of her ability.
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It wouldn’t be a disqualifier, but the CV is expected to be ardently working at avoiding all sin. If this is something you’re interested in, it is important to talk to a priest about it and get a spiritual director to start preparing spiritually for such a life before even asking the bishop for the consecration.
 
ChibiViolet said:
Being a consecrated virgin is totally different from being a vegetarian. A consecrated virgin has chosen to marry Jesus. A woman would choose that because she is in love with Jesus and not necessarily to the extent that she is ready to try and give up all sin,
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Sin hurts Jesus. Why would one’s spouse not try to avoid hurting their spouse? The main part of being Jesus’ spouse is that you stand at the foot of the cross and suffer with Him for the sake of your children (all billion + of them). This suffering includes the humiliations that come with telling the truth. Marrying Christ isn’t some fairy tale romantic story
 
ChibiViolet said:
Being a consecrated virgin is totally different from being a vegetarian. A consecrated virgin has chosen to marry Jesus. A woman would choose that because she is in love with Jesus and not necessarily to the extent that she is ready to try and give up all sin, unless it is a requirement that she try and do so (in which case, she is.)
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Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough. My example was to be analogous. 😊

I think then one would have to ask herself what she thinks “loving Jesus” actually means?
God wills that we do not sin. Sinning hurts those who commit them and and it hurts others. Knowing that we are hurting His beloved children and Him in the process, wouldn’t a woman who claims to love Him at least desire to stop sinning, even if it seems difficult?

Choosing to offer up married life and children for the sake of God is great to be sure. But if she isn’t even willing to change her heart first, how will she ever be ready to truly offer herself up to Him? More important than material things or forms of penance to God is one’s heart and will.
ChibiViolet said:
Well, I would like to stop committing venial sins, it’s too hard, especially when someone asks me a question and I don’t want to answer honestly. I tried years ago to not commit any sins and I got stressed out from that.
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Hmm I don’t know how you view honesty, but it’s not necessary to say everything on your mind when someone asks. Prudence requires that we think before we speak. If you’re unable to respond with charity or if you feel uncomfortable sharing certain things, just politely decline to answer. That’s not a sin.

It’s disheartening when we constantly fall, and we naturally feel discouraged after a while, but that’s the one of the most important daily trials we go through. It’s during this time that a person can truly learn to be humble. God is constantly calling you to return to Him. He knows your limits better than you do. If you find the idea of willing to sin no more stressful, I suggest you find a confessor/spiritual director to speak with even if you choose not to discern the vocation.

Again, the important thing is that you desire to stop sinning. If you end up sinning anyway, which you will ;), offer up your thoughts to God. Lord, I have sinned and I am truly sorry. I will continue to try my hardest anyway… Go to confession, pray for God’s grace and continue to try your best.
 
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