Abbey-Roads2

It’s a rite.

Not very many people are aquainted with Carthusian nuns, much less the sacramental they receive after years of monastic life, the rite of Virginal Consecration.  I also understand that they receive the right to wear a deacon’s stole at liturgical offices and holy Mass, although they do not receive orders.

“After solemn profession or perpetual donation, the nuns may receive virginal consecration. It is a solemn rite by which the Church establishes the virgin in a special state of belonging to God. The Carthusian nuns have kept this rite as a concrete sign of the call which the Lord addresses to the Carthusian Order, to lead a life totally consecrated to Him. The offering that the nun makes to God of her virginity within this consecration opens her to a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” - Carthusian Nuns

The lay Consecrated Virgin is also a  rite.

One of the many things the Second Vatican Council did was to revive the sacramental of the rite of Consecrated Virgins for lay women living in the world.  (The Council also opened the way for men and women to individually embrace the hermitical life.)

“The Consecration of a Virgin is one of the oldest sacramentals in the Church, and one of the fruits of Vatican II was the restoration of this profound blessing on virgins living in the world. The promulgation of this restored Rite for laywomen was on 31 May 1970. Through this sacramental, the virgin, after renewing her promise of perpetual virginity to God, is set aside as a sacred person who belongs only to Christ.

Supporting herself by earning her own living, the consecrated virgin is not obliged to take on any particular work or apostolate. Usually, consecrated virgins in the United States volunteer their time to their local parish, diocese, or Church-sponsored association. Some volunteer their time also in civic responsibilities.

A woman living in the world who has never married or lived in open violation of chastity, and who by age, prudence, and good character is deemed suitable for dedicating herself to a life of chastity in the service of the Church and of her neighbor may petition her bishop to receive the Consecration. She must be admitted to this Consecration by her local Bishop; it is he who determines the conditions under which the candidate is to undertake a life of perpetual virginity lived in the world. Usually, a woman who aspires to the consecration works with a spiritual director and has lived a private promise of perpetual virginity for some years before seeking the Consecration of a Virgin.” - What is a Consecrated Virgin?

This is another option for single woman in the world to discern - with the guidance of a spiritual director and the bishop of course.  In this Archdiocese I know of at least one Consecrated Virgin.

[Photo:  Carthusian nun and novice.  I like this type of habit.]