Consecrated virgin

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In the Catholic Church, a consecrated virgin is a woman who has dedicated herself to virginity or perpetual chastity in the service of God. Consecrated virgins, although having a role consecrated by the Church, are lay people, and do not take solemn vows as religious sisters and nuns do.

The rite fell out of practice after the Middle Ages, but was restored by Pope Paul VI in 1970 for lay women. A diocesan bishop consecrates the candidate by the solemn rite Consecratio Virginium. According to the Associated Press, there are 200 such virgins living in the United States and 2,000 worldwide.

[edit] External links

• The papal encyclical Sacra Virginitas, promulgated March 25, 1954 by Pope Pius XII
• Click2Houston story: Local Catholic Diocese Performs Consecrated Virgin Ritual: 150 Consecrated Virgins Live In U.S.
• Consecrated Virgins in the Catholic Church
• Catechism of the Catholic Church para. 922 "Consecrated Virgins and Widows"
• MSNBC Woman joins small club of consecrated virgins