Consecrated Virgins

Consecrated virgins (canon #604) do not have a rule or plan of life, but rather their daily schedule of work and prayer is balanced within the demands of their life in the world. They profess a vow of virginity which is received by a bishop. A consecrated virgin has never married or lived in public or open violation of chastity and perpetually vows chastity in dedication to the service of the Church and neighbor.

Consecrated virginity began in the Archdiocese of St. Louis when then Most Reverend Raymond Leo Burke wrote about the vocation in August 2004 in the St. Louis Review. The first candidate requested the Consecration from the Archbishop in 2006.

More Information

Consecrated virginity has its origin among the early virgins and virgin martyrs in the Church. Consecrated virgins do not make vows or live under a rule of life or constitutions. The Consecration is received only from the Archbishop in an approved Liturgical Rite.  The virgin lives as a bride of Christ, witnessing to Jesus as spouse. She does not have a specific mission. Her primary service to the Church is prayer and being engaged in the mission activity of the Church according to her natural abilities. She is self-supporting, lives on her own, and represents the Church in a public state of Consecrated Life. Consecrated virgins will host an annual “Come And See” day for anyone interested in the vocation.

There are about 250 Consecrated Virgins in the U.S. The United States Association of Consecrated virgins can be found at www.consecratedvirgins.org and disseminates information and resource materials about the vocation which was restored by the Church in 1970. It is the bishop, however, who determines the path of formation which may be from 1-5 years and accepts the candidate for Consecration.  

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