Consecrated Virginity

Consecrated virginity is a vocation in which a woman, called by the Holy Spirit, offers her life entirely to Christ and receives the Church’s solemn consecration. By freely embracing lifelong virginity for love of Christ, she lives as his spouse and witnesses to the Church’s hope of lasting communion with God in paradise. This vocation is more than remaining unmarried: it is a wholehearted gift of self to God.

 

In the early Church women began heeding the call of the Gospel in this integral way. A rite was established and formalized. Over the centuries as religious life gained momentum, the rite largely fell into disuse for women living in the secular world. With the Second Vatican Council’s recovery of the Universal Call to Holiness and re-prioritization of evangelization, the Council Fathers called for a revision of the Rite of Consecration of Virgins. Paul VI authorized the promulgation of the revised Rite in 1970 and it came into effect in 1971.

 

In the diocesan Order of Virgins (Ordo virginum), this consecration is celebrated in a liturgical rite presided over by the diocesan bishop. The consecrated virgin’s life becomes a sign of belonging to Christ and a joyful dedication to the service of the Church and the Kingdom of God in the local Diocesan Church.

 

At this time, the Diocese of Superior partners with the Diocese of La Crosse in walking with women discerning, preparing for, and entering into this vocation. For more information please visit the Diocese of La Crosse website here. Please contact Barb Swiatek at the Diocese of La Crosse with any questions: (608) 788-7700.