Ordo Virginum

Code of Canon Law 1983:

§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.

§2. In order to observe their own resolution more faithfully and to perform by mutual assistance service to the Church in harmony with their proper state, virgins can be associated together.

Ms. Holly Garnett
Kingston, ON

“The characteristic of the Ordo Virginum is ‘a special relationship of communion with the particular and universal Church’
(Vita Consecrata, n.42.) 

Are you resolved to accept solemn consecration
as a bride of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
—
Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity, n. 17

“Since apostolic times this expression of the mystery of the Church has been demonstrated in a unique way in the lives of those women who with spousal love are dedicated to the Lord Jesus in virginity. Responding to a charism kindled in them by the Holy Spirit, they experience the spiritual fertility of an intimate relationship with him and offer the fruits of this relationship to the Church and to the world.” (Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 1)

What is a consecrated virgin?
A consecrated virgin is a woman who is ‘set apart’ in a specific liturgical rite to love and serve God and the Church. She is a ‘bride of Christ,’ as she is united to Christ, something which is awaiting all of us in Heaven. Her life is therefore witnesses to the Kingdom of God, and the reality of God’s intimate and individual love.

This is a vocation that is lived in the world. The United States Association of Consecrated Virgins explains, “As a consecrated person [the consecrated virgin] lives in the world; she does not flee the world. Her life is a public witness in the Church and in society. By her very life of virginity, she is witnessing her total love for her Spouse, Jesus Christ.”

The consecrated virgin is committed to lifting up her diocese in prayer and penance. She discerns how to best serve her diocese through her own apostolate. She acts as a public witness to the reality of God’s intimate love through her life.

What is the history of consecrated virginity?
In the early Church, there were women who wanted to serve God with their whole being, and renounce marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of God. These women were consecrated by their Bishop for this special witness in the Church. Some of the earliest consecrated virgins include Saints like St. Agatha of Catania, St. Lucy of Syracuse and Sts. Agnes and Cecilia of Rome (ESI 1-10).

Eventually, consecrated women began to live and work together, and the first religious communities were formed. By the middle ages, most women who felt called to belong only to Christ would do so through a religious community.

After Vatican II, in 1970, the ancient rite the Consecration of Virgins in the World was renewed. Responding to a growth of this ancient, but now also new, vocation, the Vatican issued a set of instructions on it in July, 2018, called Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago (ESI).

Who can become a consecrated virgin?
Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago explains that “Admission to consecration requires that the candidate gives evidence, with regard to her age, her human and spiritual maturity and the respect that she enjoys in the Christian community in which she is inserted, that she is able to assume the commitments that arise from consecration in a responsible manner. It is also a prerequisite that the person has never been married and has never lived in public or open violation of chastity” (ESI 84).

Those interested in becoming consecrated would enter into a process of formation and discernment for several years. Enquiries should be directed to: Most Reverend Scott McCaig, CC  scott.mccaig@forces.gc.ca
 

"Depuis les temps apostoliques, cette expression du mystère de l'Église s'est manifestée de façon unique dans la vie de ces femmes qui, avec l'amour conjugal, se consacrent au Seigneur Jésus dans la virginité. Répondant à un charisme allumé en elles par l'Esprit Saint, elles font l'expérience de la fécondité spirituelle d'une relation intime avec lui et offrent les fruits de cette relation à l'Église et au monde". (Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 1)

Qu'est-ce qu'une vierge consacrée ?
Une vierge consacrée est une femme qui est "mise à part" dans un rite liturgique spécifique pour aimer et servir Dieu et l'Église. Elle est une "épouse du Christ", car elle est unie au Christ, ce qui nous attend tous au ciel. Sa vie est donc un témoignage du Royaume de Dieu et de la réalité de l'amour intime et individuel de Dieu. 

C'est une vocation qui se vit dans le monde. L'Association des vierges consacrées des États-Unis explique : "En tant que personne consacrée [la vierge consacrée] vit dans le monde ; elle ne fuit pas le monde. Sa vie est un témoignage public dans l'Église et dans la société. Par sa vie même de virginité, elle témoigne de son amour total pour son Époux, Jésus-Christ".

La vierge consacrée s'engage à élever son diocèse dans la prière et la pénitence. Elle discerne comment servir au mieux son diocèse par son propre apostolat. Elle agit comme un témoin public de la réalité de l'amour intime de Dieu à travers sa vie. 

Quelle est l'histoire de la virginité consacrée ? 
Dans l'Église primitive, il y avait des femmes qui voulaient servir Dieu de tout leur être et renoncer au mariage pour le Royaume de Dieu. Ces femmes ont été consacrées par leur évêque pour ce témoignage particulier dans l'Église. Parmi les premières vierges consacrées, on trouve des saintes comme Sainte Agathe de Catane, Sainte Lucie de Syracuse et Sainte Agnès et Cécile de Rome (ESI 1-10). 

Finalement, les femmes consacrées ont commencé à vivre et à travailler ensemble, et les premières communautés religieuses ont été formées. Au Moyen-Âge, la plupart des femmes qui se sentaient appelées à n'appartenir qu'au Christ le faisaient par l'intermédiaire d'une communauté religieuse. 
Après Vatican II, en 1970, l'ancien rite de la Consécration des Vierges dans le monde a été renouvelé. Pour répondre à la croissance de cette ancienne, mais aussi de la nouvelle vocation, le Vatican a publié en juillet 2018 une série d'instructions à ce sujet, appelée Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago (ESI).

Qui peut devenir vierge consacrée ? 
Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago explique que "L'admission à la consécration exige que la candidate témoigne, au regard de son âge, de sa maturité humaine et spirituelle et du respect dont elle jouit dans la communauté chrétienne dans laquelle elle est insérée, qu'elle est capable d'assumer de manière responsable les engagements qui découlent de la consécration. Il est également indispensable que la personne n'ait jamais été mariée et n'ait jamais vécu en public ou en violation ouverte de la chasteté" (ESI 84).

Les personnes intéressées par la consécration s'engagent dans un processus de formation et de discernement pendant plusieurs années. Les demandes de renseignements doivent être adressées à : Mgr Scott McCaig, CC scott.mccaig@forces.gc.ca

Consecrated virgins stand as a symbol for the Church’s love for Christ and “point towards a bigger reality: Christ is the ultimate fulfillment”
(Maslak 2017)

They look to Mary, perfect image of the Church, as the guiding star for their journey. The Church entrusts them to her maternal protection.

We praise you,
Virgin Mother of God
Woman of the covenant,
of expectation and fulfilment.
Be the mother and teacher
of consecrated virgins,
so that imitating you
they will receive the Gospel joyfully
and every day
with humility and wonder
discover in it
the holy origin
of their spousal vocation.

Virgin of virgins,
sealed fountain,
gate of heaven,
inspire and accompany
these sisters of ours,
may they have the gift
of spiritual discernment
pilgrims in history
may they live the dynamism
of prophecy
with freedom and courage
with determination and tenderness.

Woman full of grace,
overflowing with charity,
Virgin become Church
bless their journey
so that hope
enlightens their minds
and opens their hearts
guiding every step
and faith
makes their hands industrious
and creative
so may their lives be fruitful
and anticipating here and now
the reality of the Kingdom,
may they generate
and build up the people of God
sharing in its mission
kingly, prophetic and priestly.

We proclaim you blessed
woman of the Magnificat
mother of the living Gospel.
We pray for these sisters.
Gather them in your song
involve them in your dance
so that they follow the Lamb
wherever he goes
with lamps alight.
May they lead us also
to the eternal wedding banquet,
to the final embrace
with the Love
that never ends.

(Approved by the Holy Father in an audience on June 8, 2018)