ADDITIONAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Is there an age limit for woman to receive the Consecration of a Virgin?
No, there is no upper age limit. At the other end of the scale, there is no certain age that one should have attained before one can receive the Consecration. Individual dioceses may choose to set a minimum age.
What is important here is that the woman be of mature character, that she have lived in tranquil continency for a number of years, and that from all indications she will persevere in perpetual chastity.
- How should one begin the process in her diocese to receive the Consecration of a Virgin?
One normally should have had a spiritual director for some years, and it is understood that the candidate is a practicing Catholic and accepts all the teachings of the Catholic Church.
After a discernment process with her spiritual director and after having lived in tranquil celibacy for a number of years, then she can write a letter of petition to the bishop of her diocese and request that she be considered to become a candidate for the Consecration of a Virgin living in the world. The bishop will usually meet with her and work with the spiritual director to determine if she is a good candidate.
If it is decided that she would be suitable for the Consecration, then she begins her Preparation process. The time of Preparation depends on how much the candidate already understands about the Consecration and how quickly she can absorb the concepts. For each individual it will be different.
The bishop of the diocese makes the final determination on whether the candidate, after her Preparation, is suitable for the Consecration.
- Can a person after having received the Consecration of a Virgin for a Woman Living in the World become a Religious Sister at a later date?
This is theoretically possible, but certainly not advisable. One should discern clearly the vocation one is called to before receiving the Consecration of a Virgin for a Woman Living in the World.
Each of these forms of consecrated life is a category in itself, as delineated in Vita Consecrata. Each of these forms lead to a perfection of life when lived properly; therefore, one should not consider 'hopping over' from one category to another.
It is important to discern properly, to be properly formed spiritually and intellectually for whatever category of consecrated life one is called to, and then to live that form of consecrated life to the very best one can.
- Is the Consecration of a Virgin revocable?
No. The Consecration is not a vow that a woman herself makes, but rather a solemn blessing that she receives being set apart as a sacred person by the action of the Holy Spirit through the hands of the bishop. One cannot "undo" a Consecration. One cannot "undo" the bond of Christ with His bride.
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