Review: An Introduction to the Vocation of Consecrated Virginity Lived in the World

An Introduction to the Vocation of Consecrated Virginity Lived in the World by United States Association of Consecrated VIrgins
Series: ORDO VIRGINUM #1
Publisher: USACV (2012)
Paperback (145 pages)
Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2015 Re-Reading, Read 2015

Synopsis

An Ancient Rite Restored, for women living in the world.
Those who choose chastity have looked upon the face of Christ, its origin and inspiration.
They give themselves wholly to Christ, the Son of the ever-virgin Mary, and the heavenly Bridegroom of those who in his honor dedicate themselves to lasting virginity.
-Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity (24)
Consecrated by the diocesan Bishop, these women acquire a particular link with the Church, which they are committed to serve while remaining the world. Either alone or in association with others, they constitute a special eschatological image of the Heavenly Bride and of the life to come, when the Church will at last fully live her love for Christ the Bridegroom.
-Pope Saint John Paul II in Vita Consecrata
The Order of Virgins is a special expression of consecrated life that blossomed anew in the Church after the Second Vatican Council. Its roots, however, are ancient; they date back to the dawn of the apostolic times. With unheard of daring, certain women began to open their hearts to the desire of consecrated virginity … the desire to give the whole of their being to God. (This desire) had its first extraordinary fulfillment in the Virgin of Nazareth and her “yes.”
-Pope Benedict XVI to the 2008 Rome International Congress/Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins

Find the book: Goodreads

My Review

I became aware of this book for the first time via the website for the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins. This is the first volume of what is projected to be a comprehensive series on the vocation of consecrated virginity.

I first saw a physical copy of this book when it was given to me by my parish priest. I had gone to him with questions about this vocation I have been discerning. Consecrated virginity is not the most well-known vocation and so we turned to this book.

I had read the entirety of the USACV website as well as the pdf version of the information packet before I picked up this book. Due to that, most of this book was articles I had already read through the website.

This book contains six articles. The first article talks about how the vocation of consecrated virginity fits into the Catholic Church. The second and third articles speak of the Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity for Women Living in the World. The fourth article talks briefly on the vocation of consecrated virginity in the Catholic Church. The fifth and sixth articles both touch on the spousal dimensions of the vocation.

This really is a great introduction that I have read through about three times. I enjoy how it briefly describes the vocation in a number of ways. I would have loved it even more if there was more in this book that was not available on the USACV website.

If you are at all interested in the vocation of consecrated virginity, I would highly recommend this book.

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• You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
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