Church reproposes Order of
Virgins 50 years after its restoration
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| Consecration of St Genevieve. |
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies
of Apostolic Life releases the Instruction Ecclesiae Sponsae imago in view of
the 50th anniversary of the revival of the ancient Order of Virgins.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp
In 2020 it will be 50 years since Pope Paul VI revived the
ancient Order of Virgins. Consecrated virgins now number
approximately 5,000 and live in every part of the world. The Prefect for the
Dicastery for Consecrated Life, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, says that the new
Instruction Ecclesiae Sponsae imago is the first Document to
address the make-up and discipline of this form of consecration. It is also a
response to the interest shown in this revived vocation. It focuses
specifically on its place in the Church’s life, and the necessary discernment
and formation required, he says.
History
Presenting the document, Archbishop José Rodríguez
Carballo, Secretary of the Dicastery, summarized the history of the Order
of Virgins. The Order developed from the Gospel witness of
women who gave up everything in order to follow the Lord. It so rooted itself
in the fabric of the Church that it was eventually given the name Order,
analogous with those of bishops, priests, deacons and widows. Eventually it was
absorbed into monasticism in the middle ages.
Pope Paul VI restored the Order of Virgins in
1970, giving back to the Church a form of life which offers her a reflection of
her own nature as Spouse of Christ. Archbishop Carballo said that Bishops,
consecrated virgins and experts collaborated on Ecclesiae
Sponsae imago. Each “offered their own contribution in order to highlight
the peculiarity and richness of this form of consecrated life”, he said.
What is the Order of Virgins?
The first part of the document explores the vocation and
witness of the Order of Virgins. It explains that the vocation is
primarily Marian; one that embraces a chaste, poor, and obedient life as well
as prayer, penance, and the works of mercy. A distinguishing factor is that
“the charism to virginity is harmonized with the charism proper to each
consecrated woman…with creative freedom”, Archbishop Carballo said.
How is the Order of Virgins organized?
Ecclesiae Sponsae imago explains in the second
part that consecrated virgins, living singly or in their families or other
groups, are organized at the diocesan level under the Bishop. Archbishop
Carballo said that, as a “daughter of a particular Church, each consecrated
woman shares its history…, contributes to its edification and participates in
its mission with her own gifts”. Thus, the call to live a solitary life leads
the consecrated woman to a life of profound communion.
How does a woman become a consecrated virgin?
Archbishop Carballo said the third part explains the
discernment and formation aspects of the Order of Virgins. Here the
participation of the Bishop is underlined in all of the stages, before and
after a woman is consecrated.
50th anniversary of the Order of
Virgins
With the 50th anniversary of the restoration
of the Order of Virgins in 2020, Archbishop Carballo said that
he hopes that reproposing this ancient form of consecration might demonstrate
its value as “a truly attractive and demanding way of holiness”. In addition,
Cardinal de Aviz hopes that the anniversary will bring consecrated virgins from
all over the world to Rome for an international meeting “to celebrate the
anniversary of the Rite with Peter”.
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