Virgins by choice, women embrace ancient ministry. Free Press: Detroit, MI: August 23, 2005; by Patricia Montemurri. (offsite link) Accountant Judith Stegman, 49, praying in her basement in Haslett on Friday, considers herself married to Jesus and says she's no longer defensive of her decision to remain chaste. In fact, she wants to celebrate the beauty she sees in it. Sunday marked her 12th year of consecrated celibacy.
Women Wed Jesus in Ancient Rite. Post-Dispatch: St. Louis, MO: August 11, 2004; by Tim Townsend. (offsite link) Like many women, Carol Lankford fell in love with someone she had previously thought of as a good friend. When she finally received a proposal, Lankford set a date, bought a white dress and invited friends and family to a ceremony and reception. But on July 10, 1996, those witnessing the ceremony at St. Brendan's church in Mexico, Mo., could see only the bride, because Lankford's bridegroom was Jesus.
Houston woman joins ancient rite as consecrated virgin. Houston Chronicle: Houston, TX: May 14, 2004; by Tara Dooley. (offsite link) The bride wore white and carried a dozen red roses. But when the ceremony ended, Alice Claire Mansfield did not toss her bouquet in the air. Instead, dressed in a long white alb, Mansfield walked with the flowers through St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church to the sounds of Ave Maria. At a statue of Mary, she paused in prayer before placing the stems in a vase at the Virgin Mother's feet.
Canal Fulton Woman to become 'Consecrated Virgin December 8. Catholic Exponent: Youngtown, OH: December 5, 2003; by Susan K. Virgalitte (offsite link) The consecration of a virgin lay woman is an ancient tradition in the Catholic Church restored during the Second Vatican Council. It is becoming popular again today with women who feel the call to dedicate their entire lives to God while living and working in the world.
Cohoes Woman a Rare 'Bride of Christ'. The Gazette: Schenectady, NY: November 22, 2003; by Katy Moeller. As a sign of her devotion to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, Judith Mary Hervieux wears a gold band on her ring finger. She’s not married — at least not in the traditional sense. Nor is she a nun, who may wear a ring to symbolize her commitment to God. Hervieux is a consecrated virgin.
Sacred Brides of Jesus Christ. Rocky Mountain News: Denver, CO: October 4, 2003; by James B. Meadow (offsite link) In a culture where sex and sexuality flash like neon, where promiscuity seems to coil on every street corner, it's no wonder the faith-driven course of Anne Inkret and Celeste Thomas seems utterly strange. Inkret and Thomas are consecrated virgins, brides of Jesus Christ, adherents of a calling that is almost as old as the Catholic Church itself.
West Michigan woman is area’s first consecrated virgin. The Catholic Connector: Grand Rapids, MI: September 2003 (offsite link) In today’s society, it takes a strong and rare woman to stand up and publicly commit herself to God as a virgin. She has to be prepared for those who will not understand the meaning behind such a commitment. But within the community of the faithful, she finds support and understanding.Such a woman exists here in West Michigan: Amy Shank was consecrated by Bishop Kevin M. Britt on Aug. 10 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
'Married' to Christ, these women devote their lives as consecrated virgins. Lansing State Journal; Lansing, MI; August 31, 2003; by Shirley Jones (offsite link) Karen Bussey got married 11 years ago. She had the white dress, the band of gold and the church, fragrant with flowers. But there was no visible groom. "Today, I become a bride of Christ, a consecrated virgin," she said. With those words, Bussey, 47, joined a little-known, ancient order of women in the Roman Catholic Church. Consecrated virgins currently number about a thousand worldwide, including 100 in the United States and five in mid-Michigan.
A Bride of Christ: Virgins' Order Dates to Second Century. The Oregonian; Portland, OR; June 27, 2003; by Nancy Haught (offsite link) Most of the suburb is still asleep. At 5:15 a.m., the night sky begins to seep away, but morning bides its time. A soft knock at the door is answered quickly. Inside the yellow split level, what was once a living room is now a chapel....Today, Matulich is 61, a resident of Oregon City and a modern version of an ancient order in the Catholic Church. She is not a nun or a sister or part of any religious community. She is a consecrated virgin, set apart as a bride of Christ but a woman who, in the language of the church, "lives in the world."
Taking Jesus as Spouse, and Living a Life in Prayer. Bewdley Parish Worcestershire, England; undated, 2003; by Francine Parnes (offsite link) As Kathleen Danes prepares to become a June bride, in her bedroom closet hangs her gown, in a shade of sky blue. It is not that Ms. Danes is ineligible for virginal white. Quite the contrary; at her church ceremony, she will formally become a consecrated virgin wedded to Jesus Christ.
Nasce a Terni l'Ordo Virginum (in Italian). Diocese of Terni Narni Amelia, Italy; June 8, 2003 (offsite link)(Translate from Italian to English by pasting URL of story here). With a solemn celebration in in the Cathedral on Sunday, June 8, the presence of the Order of Virgins has begun in the Diocese. The virginal consecration of Emanuela Buccioni is like the small seed of an institution, an "Order of Virgins" around the diocesan bishop— new in our days, but ancient, like the Church of the first centuries.
Cardenal Errázuriz Consagró a Seis Mujeres como Virgenes de la Iglesia (in Spanish). Archdioses of Santiago, Chile; May 3, 2003 (offsite link)(Translate from Spanish to English by pasting URL of story here). Six women, most of them professional, were consecrated as Virgins of the Church by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, during a liturgical ceremony Saturday, May3 , at 10:00 a.m., in the Metropolitan Cathedral. With this consecration the "Order of the Consecrated Virgins" is born in the Archdiocese of Santiago.
La Crosse Woman on Rare Path as Consecrated Virgin. La Crosse Tribune; La Crosse, WI; April 21, 2003; by Gayda Hollnagel (offsite link) Barbara Swieciak has a college degree and is a former elementary school teacher and librarian. Yet Swieciak has found fulfillment in another field, that of a consecrated virgin, committed to living her life for Christ.
In rare rite, women pledge to live their lives as virgins. Chicago Tribune; Chicago, Ill.; Jan 4, 2003; by Julia Lieblich, Tribune religion reporter. (offsite link) (US$2.95) Theresa Ann Marie Drajin walks up the aisle of Holy Name Cathedral Friday at her consecration as a virgin ceremony. Cardinal Francis George takes the hands of Theresa Ann Marie Drajin during the ceremony Friday evening at Holy Name Cathedral in which she was consecrated as a bride of Jesus Christ.
Susan's Unique Marriage. FAITH Magazine; Lansing, MI; December 2002; by Patricia Majher. (offsite link) A simple gold band - inscribed "beloved" - is the only outward sign of Susan Cummins' special calling. Is she a married woman? Yes, but not in the sense you'd think. This petite brunette with a warm, wide smile is mystically espoused to Christ.
Woman Begins Vocation as a 'Consecrated Virgin'. The Dallas Morning News Dallas, Oct. 4, 2002. (offsite link) The September afternoon sun slants through the chapel windows, casting a clear, soft light on Shalina Stilley. Her white satin gown shimmers like sunlight on water, highlighting her own natural glow. Standing on the altar at the Church of the Incarnation at the University of Dallas, she looks the picture of a bride on her wedding day.
Catholic women become consecrated virgins. Beloit Daily News; February 17, 2001. (offsite link) also (offsite link at Kenai Peninsula Online) At the bridal shop, the saleswomen were puzzled. Angela Scannapieco didn't want to register. Junette Romero didn't want a consultant. Both women were buying dresses, but not for a regular wedding. Instead, they needed gowns for an ancient Roman Catholic rite so rare that fewer than 100 American women have gone through it: The Solemn Rite of Consecration of Virgins for Women Living in the World.
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