Consecrated Virginity

IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Theresa Drajin, Archdiocese of Chicago, was consecrated by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, OMI, at Holy Name Cathedral on January 3.

Julia Taube, Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, received the consecration of virgins from Archbishop Harry Flynn at her home parish on January 18.

Jeanne Ouellette, Diocese of Portland (Maine), received the Consecration to a Life of Virginity Lived in the World through the hands of Most Rev. Joseph Gerry, O.S.B., March 2, 2003, in the church of Sts. Peter and Paul, Lewiston, Maine. Jeanne is the first to receive the Consecration in her diocese.

Kathleen Hughes, Archdiocese of Boston, received the Consecration on March 29, 2003, in St. Mary's Chapel, Boston College.

Rita Malone, Archdiocese of Boston, was consecrated to a life of perpetual virginity on April 9, 2003, in the Archbishop's Residence Chapel.

Marjorie Uerling, Archdiocese of Omaha, received the Consecration at the hands of Most Rev. Eldon Francis Curtiss, April 24, 2003, in her parish church, Mary Our Queen. Marjorie writes:

"It was really a lovely ceremony with many parishioners present as well as three out of nine of my married siblings with their spouses and two of my nieces and nephews. There were also representatives from previous parishes where I had served. Two of my sisters escorted me throughout the ceremony. Parishioners provided really lovely music, and my spiritual director and the chancellor who lives in my parish, both of whom were extremely helpful in bringing me to this Consecration, were both present and concelebrated and assisted with the liturgy. My journey to this Consecration as been a very long one, but I really believe this is what I was originally called to, long, ago, when I was about eight years old. I am extremely happy to be consecrated, and extremely grateful to my spiritual director, Fr. Richard Gabuzda, director and one of the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University, for helping me to find and discern this calling."

Marjorie is the first to be consecrated within her archdiocese.

Theresa Howard, Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, received the Consecration to a Life of Virginity through the hands of the Most Rev. George Lucas, May 4, 2003, in St. Mary's Church, Alton. Theresa writes:

"Everything was beautiful! The Lord took care of everything for me, just as Carol Lankford [consecrated virgin of the Diocese of Jefferson City] had been telling me."

Theresa is the first to be consecrated in her diocese.

Kathleen Danes, Archdiocese of Miami, received the Consecration through the hands of the Most Rev. John Clement Favalora, June 22, 2003. Magalis Aguilera, consecrated virgin of that same Archdiocese, and Judith Stegman, consecrated virgin of the Diocese of Lansing (Michigan), joyfully accompanied her to the altar. Kathleen is the first to be consecrated within her archdiocese; Magalis had received the Consecration in the Archdiocese of San Juan Bautista, Puerto Rico, in 1986.

Catherine Shoemaker, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown (Pennsylvania), received the Consecration on June 28, 2003, in the Basilica of St. Michael Archangel, Loretto, Pennsylvania, through the hands of the Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec. Catherine is the first we are aware of to be consecrated in her diocese.

Celeste Thomas and Anne Inkret, Archdiocese of Denver, were consecrated on July 15, 2003, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by the Most Rev. Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Kerry Celeste Hubata, Archdiocese of Chicago, received the Consecration through the hands of His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., in the Cathedral of the Holy Name, August 1, 2003.

Amy Shank, Diocese of Grand Rapids (Michigan), received the Consecration on August 10, 2003, at the hands of the Most Rev. Kevin M. Britt in St. Andrew's Cathedral. Amy is the first to be consecrated in her diocese.

MaryAnn Srbljan, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, received the Consecration through the hands of the Most Rev. Eusebius Beltran, September 8, 2003, in the Church of St. Michael. MaryAnn reports that many parishioners stayed until midnight at the reception because they were so happy for her, despite their having to get to work the next day. Valerie Means, consecrated virgin of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and Susan Ahern, consecrated virgin of the Diocese of Dallas, made their way at great personal sacrifice to be with MaryAnn and to accompany her to the altar. MaryAnn is the first to be consecrated in her archdiocese.

Carol Swenson, Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, received the Consecration to a Life of Virginity on September 13, 2003.

Helen Reier and Rheta Zellner, Diocese of Rockford (Illinois), received the Consecration to a Life of Virginity, November 1, 2003, through the hands of the Most Rev. Thomas Doran, in St. Joseph Church, Aurora, Illinois. It is believed that Helen and Rheta are the first to be so consecrated in their diocese.

Judith Hervieux, Diocese of Albany (New York), received the Consecration through the hands of the Most Rev. Howard Hubbard, November 16, 2003, at the historic St. Mary's Church, Waterford. Judith is the first to be consecrated in her diocese.

Eileen Rohr, Diocese of Youngstown (Ohio), received the Consecration on December 8, 2003, through the hands of the Most Rev. Thomas Tobin. It is believed that Eileen is the first to be so consecrated in her diocese.

Maria Almeida, Archdiocese of New York, received the Consecration to a Life of Virginity for a Woman Living in the World on December 8, 2003.

See lists for 2005 & 2006

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