Offices & Services

Consecrated Virginity is a perpetual commitment, following Christ more closely, consecrated to God by the diocesan bishop, betrothed mystically to Christ the Son of God, dedicated to the service of the Church.
- from Canon 604, CCL 1983

God Calls
Total Gift of Self For the Sake of the Kingdom of Heaven

a public vocation individually lived in the world
secular mode of life self-supporting, regular job, own living arrangements, own clothes, retirement provisions
consecration is received in the Ceremony within the Ritual Mass
ring is the sign of fidelity in espousals to God
annual group meeting with the Archbishop
annual individual conference with Delegate
local and regional activities and projects
optional membership in U.S. Association of Consecrated Virgins, as voting member, or as Friend

Saying Yes To God

in the state of virginity (never married)
maturity, stability, tranquility of life
variable period of discernment, candidacy – can be several years
individual conferences with Delegate, others
opportunities to meet others in discernment and consecrated virgins

Information Conference in Chicago every August, from a Thursday pm to Sunday am.

Annual Convocation in St. Louis every summer for four days, for those who have attended Information Conference, and for all consecrated virgins:

download order forms for printed, electronic, audio, and visual materials
The Lamp, newsletter several times a year

History Outline

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
holy women who served Jesus, His disciples
Thecla, who followed St. Paul
early virgin martyrs, mentioned in Canon I of the Mass
Church Fathers – e.g., Jerome, John Chrysostom, Gregory Nazianzen, Basil, Leavder, Ambrose, Augustine – treatises and letters
Benedictine Order has retained the Consecration, with the profession of vows
1100’s-1900’s: development of Orders, Institutes, Congregations in the West
Eastern churches have always kept the simple form of consecrated life
early 1900’s – initiatives in France (Anne LeFlaive)
1970 – Promulgation of the restored ancient Rite
1995 – Worldwide Pilgrimage to Rome, Special Audience with Pope John Paul II
1995 – founding of USACV

Consecrations In the Boston Archdiocese
1970’s – 4
1980’s – 1
1990’s – 4
2000’s – 8
11 are presently living as of mid-2006

Contacts:
Sister Marian Batho, CSJ, Delegate for Religious Tel: 617-746-5637

USACV (U.S. Association of Consecrated Virgins)
www.consecratedvirgins.org
300 West Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI 48933-1577

Information Conference Coordinator is:
Theresa Marshall Tel: 734-332-4648 Email: marshall@wash.k12.mi.us