The consecrated virgin attends Mass daily,
prays the Divine Office,
and spends much time in private prayer

Veronicas today

By Loretta Matulich

n Perhaps it seems ironical that Vatican II, which tried to encourage and build up the local church, would be seen today as having ushered in a plethora of discontent, a battle for truth and morality, a veritable Calvary for diocesan clergy and their bishops. Undoubtedly, this is the picture we see in the media-a Church embattled, a Church undergoing martyrdom, a Church on the road to Calvary.

If it can be said that the last few decades have been a time of trial and of "laying down one's life for one's friends" among the faithful clergy, we can now also perceive a sign that the Holy Spirit has been working quietly in various dioceses throughout the world, especially in Europe and the Americas. During the days of Pentecost 1995, this sign became truly visible when over 260 consecrated virgins (laywomen) gathered in Rome for their first-ever international pilgrimage/conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of the Rite of Consecration of a Virgin for women living in the world. In addition to Mass at the Basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul-outside-the-walls, they were received in a private audience with Pope John Paul II and they joined in the Pentecost Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. During their pilgrimage/conference, they discovered through the individual national reports that in several countries their vocation is flourishing. For example, France counts over 300 in various dioceses, with Paris alone having 40. Italy has 150, Belgium 40, and Argentina 200. These consecrated virgins, by their very life of love in virginity given to Jesus Christ alone, are diocesan-based, supportive of the priests and bishop of their diocese. They are the Veronicas of our day.

The Consecration of Virgins had been bestowed on laywomen from the very early centuries of the Church through the early Middle Ages, predating the monastic movement and the Profession of Vows of Religious as we know them today. However, the ancient practice of consecrating laywomen as virgins living in the world lapsed several centuries ago so that it flourished only in the cloistered orders where it became a sacramental adjunct to the Profession of Vows. That is, it became a sacramental crowning of a regulated state. One of the fruits of Vatican II was the restoration of this profound blessing on virgins living in the world; the promulgation of this restored Rite for laywomen was on 31 May 1970.

The Consecration of a Virgin is one of the oldest sacramentals in the Church, and much of the Rite is from the Liturgy of St. Agnes. Through this sacramental, the virgin, after renewing her promise of perpetual virginity to God, is set aside as a sacred person who belongs only to Christ. The acting agent, so to speak, in the Consecration is God himself who accepts the virgin's promise and spiritually fructifies it through the action of the Holy Spirit. This sacramental is reserved to the bishop of the diocese. The consecrated virgin shares intimately in the nature and mission of the Church-she is a living image of the Church's love for her Spouse while sharing in his redemptive mission. The Song of Songs and the Suffering Servant hymns of Isaiah continually resonate in her heart.

The consecrated virgin living in the world embodies a definitive vocation in itself. She is not a quasi-religious, nor is she in a vocation that is in the process of becoming a religious institute or congregation. She remains in the lay state, with her bishop as her guide. In several instances around the world, we see a fraternal bond of support between consecrated virgins and their bishop. By virtue of the Consecration, she is responsible to pray for her diocese and clergy. At no time, however, is her diocese responsible for her financial support.

The consecrated virgin living in the world, as expressed in Canon 604, is irrevocably "consecrated to God, mystically espoused to Christ and dedicated to the service of the Church, when the diocesan Bishop consecrates [her] according to the approved liturgical rite." The consecrated virgin attends Mass daily, prays the Divine Office, and spends much time in private prayer. She can choose the Church-approved spirituality she prefers to follow. Some feel most comfortable with the Ignatian, others with the Franciscan, and still others with the Benedictine.

Supporting herself by earning her own living, the consecrated virgin is not obliged to take on any particular "work" or apostolate unless she consents to do so when her bishop may wish to entrust a particular ministry to her. Usually, among the consecrated virgins in the United States, we see that they volunteer their time to their local parish, diocese, or Church-sponsored association. In addition, some volunteer their time in civic responsibilities.

One consecrated virgin in the Midwest supports herself by part-time home health care nursing; in her spare time she coordinates four perpetual adoration chapels in her city. Another is a Certified Public Accountant who owns her own firm and has 25 employees working for her. She volunteers in her parish as an organist. A third consecrated virgin supports herself as a rectory housekeeper, but in her spare time volunteers to clean and prepare the sacristy in the center for the retired priests of the diocese as well as keep the diocesan library in order. A semi-disabled consecrated virgin on the East Coast coordinates several round-robin letters among the disabled to help them offer their disabilities and illnesses for the spiritual welfare of the Church. A consecrated virgin who took an early retirement from university teaching on the West Coast now volunteers her time to a special project at her local community college, seeing in this gift of time and energy a Christian witness. In addition, for the last 20 years she has helped to drive a priest to two other dioceses in which he volunteers his priestly services in an ethnic ministry. Other occupations among them are: a professional university librarian, a medical claims assistant for an insurance company, a social worker with the hospice program, a teacher of the handicapped, a secretary in a community college, a nurse in a public hospital, and a forensic chemist with the State Patrol. Some work in diocesan positions, and several among the American consecrated virgins are disabled.

It is best to let the consecrated virgins speak for themselves of their prayer life and work:

"My focus on Our Lord as a consecrated virgin is taking on more of a role that involves a bridal relationship as found in the Song of Songs. There is a great sense of ease and excitement in being able to sit at the feet of the Master and contemplate His great Love and Mercy as noted in the home of Mary and Martha. I experience a great love of the Church, of being an integral part as I can unite in praying the Liturgy of the Hours."

"My occupation revolves mainly around the care of the sick in their homes as a visiting nurse. This affords me the opportunity to match my prayerful consideration in the Kingdom of God with deeds of mercy."

"Through various people in the parish and community my call to witness the dignity and beauty of my vocation is on-going. Nourished by the Word and Eucharist, I find the readings from the Mass to be lived out with all I encounter. Christ becomes alive again for others to experience when I joyfully embrace my call with fidelity and deep love."

"My volunteer work at the Diocesan Center Crypt Chapel, library work, and any other ways I can be of service to the Diocese bring a great sense of fulfillment. I live in a spirit of prayer and recollection-to work for and do all to build up the body of Christ. I ask God to help the priests grow in love of the Eucharist, as I prepare the linens and altars and clean the chapel. I offer this work as reparation for abuses against the Eucharist. And finally, when just visiting with the retired priests and bishops who live at the Diocesan Center, I try to encourage them and listen to them, while reassuring them of my prayers for them."

Who, then, can be consecrated? Women living in the world who have never married or lived in open violation of chastity, and who by age, prudence, and good character are deemed suitable for dedicating themselves to a life of chastity in the service of the Church and of their neighbor. They must be admitted to this Consecration by their local bishop; it is he who determines the conditions under which the candidates are to undertake a life of perpetual virginity lived in the world. Usually, a woman who aspires to the Consecration works with a spiritual director and has lived a private promise of perpetual virginity for some years before seeking the Consecration of Virgins.

The American consecrated virgins living in the world under Canon 604 have now set up an association, as Canon 604, paragraph 2, suggests. Most Rev. Raymond L. Burke, Bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is their episcopal moderator. For information about the Consecration, one may write to Loretta Matulich, P. O. Box 5154, Oregon City, Oregon 97045-8154; or e-mail: loretta.matulich@ewtn.com. n