Questions and Answers (Part 3) - Should there be an annual review?
A review is done with the spiritual director, and this review is constant because one is always reviewing one's spiritual life. However, a meeting with the bishop of the diocese should be held about every six months and no less than once a year. This meeting should be with the consecrated virgin individually and the bishop himself, not as a group of consecrated virgins in the diocese nor delegated to someone else by the bishop. It is a good idea to write up brief agenda for the bishop and give it to him in advance of the meeting so that he will have an idea of the topic(s) for discussion.
For the bishop and the consecrated virgin, it should be a pleasant time and an appointment that each looks forward to.
- Is there a conflict between the three ‘vows’ and the Consecration?
No. A consecrated virgin living in the world although she does not profess the evangelical counsels of obedience and poverty as vows still should be living in an attitude of obedience and simplicity of life with prudence.
- What difference would the Consecration make in my life if I already have a promise of perpetual virginity?
Grace.
- Why do consecrated virgins not wear veils?
Part of the Rite is to show espousal to Christ and an optional symbol of this is the veil. She may wish to wear a veil, subsequently, during Mass or on the anniversary of her Consecration.
However, to wear a veil in daily life seems to be part of a habit, and a consecrated virgin living in the world should not be wearing a habit, which is a sign of removal from the world in a Religious Institute.
- How can one start to prepare to receive the Consecration?
One should start with the prayer life of a consecrated virgin: Divine Office, Rosary, daily Mass, visits when possible to the Blessed Sacrament. Read the Rite of Consecration and the lives of the virgin saints.
The above items are paraphrased from questions posed and answered at a 1997 USACV Informational Retreat with the Association’s episcopal moderator, Bishop Raymond L. Burke of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
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