OnlySunshine Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I have a question for my friend who does not have an account here at Phatmass and wanted to ask something. I don't know if you all would be able to answer it, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I already suggested that she talk to the bishop of her diocese. Her question is: [i][b]Can a woman who has had a previous problem with pornography, but has never had sexual intercourse herself, be a valid Consecrated Virgin?[/b][/i] She has been to Confession and worked on her problem. She plans to wait a while before becoming a CV, but wanted to know if she'd even be eligible. I told her it may present some problems, but there may be a way that she can still become one. What is the verdict? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 [url="http://www.consecratedvirgins.org/cv/becomingcv.html"]Who can be consecrated?[/url] * 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. My opinion on past pornography would be that if it had been private usage of porn, it would not have been "in open violation of chastity." However, if we are talking about her having been in porno movies, posed nude for magazines or on the web, then that would be open, and could be the potential for scandal down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 [quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1298520135' post='2215130'] [url="http://www.consecratedvirgins.org/cv/becomingcv.html"]Who can be consecrated?[/url] * 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. My opinion on past pornography would be that if it had been private usage of porn, it would not have been "in open violation of chastity." However, if we are talking about her having been in porno movies, posed nude for magazines or on the web, then that would be open, and could be the potential for scandal down the road. [/quote] Thank you, CatherineM, for that answer. That really helps. I was curious because I really thought, with her past history of pornography and masturbation, that it could be considered an "open violation of chastity." She has never had sexual intercourse or been involved in any pornographic media. She has agreed to talk to the diocesan bishop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherie Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 If she does, I think it would be a beautiful testament to God's mercy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shana Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I'm sending you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 [quote name='CherieMadame' timestamp='1298556155' post='2215218'] If she does, I think it would be a beautiful testament to God's mercy. [/quote] Wouldn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TradMom Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 +Praised be Jesus Christ! I cannot imagine why it would be a reason for her to not go forward with her vocation unless as someone else stated, she did it in public or engaged in acts that hold the potential of future scandal. I pray that she will be given the opportunity to live this life if it is God's will for her and that the Bishop shows her tenderness and compassion. What a difficult thing to discuss. My prayers are with her. Pax, TradMom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 From what I understand, she like most of us has had some struggles and weak moments. If that were an impediment to any sort of consecration, I'm not sure anyone would make the cut. The fact that she worked it out in the confessional and (I assume) has a regular confessor definitely says she's putting her best foot forward. Good luck to her; I hope the bishop says yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Thank you all so much for your positive responses. My friend is really excited about all the responses. She is still discerning, but is really serious about discerning the life of a consecrated virgin. Her attitude is so positive, she has me thinking about consecrated virginity for myself again. I've been reading the documents about the rite and I might talk to the bishop as well. I've always thought it is a really beautiful vocation, but not one for everyone. It is a great way to serve the Church and Jesus Christ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I have known two CV's in my life. One back home in St. Pete, and one here. The one in Florida was an elderly woman who had lived her entire life as a nurse. When she was in her 20's, she had taken vows in an order, that later folded. I'm not sure how or why, but she thought all those years that she was still a nun. She basically took the CV vows at the end of her life that she had been living for 60+ years. The one here is younger. She's younger than I am, and was a scripture professor at the seminary until recently. She had been training to be a chaplain at night, and has recently taken the job as head of pastoral care for the Catholic hospital network. When she took her vows, she took them as a "consecrated single." She said she didn't like the idea of the focus being on sex, and wanted to keep the focus on the vows to serve the bishop as a single person. What they had in common is that they both had careers that allowed them to support themselves, and had a ministry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 [quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1298660928' post='2215547'] I have known two CV's in my life. One back home in St. Pete, and one here. The one in Florida was an elderly woman who had lived her entire life as a nurse. When she was in her 20's, she had taken vows in an order, that later folded. I'm not sure how or why, but she thought all those years that she was still a nun. She basically took the CV vows at the end of her life that she had been living for 60+ years. The one here is younger. She's younger than I am, and was a scripture professor at the seminary until recently. She had been training to be a chaplain at night, and has recently taken the job as head of pastoral care for the Catholic hospital network. When she took her vows, she took them as a "consecrated single." She said she didn't like the idea of the focus being on sex, and wanted to keep the focus on the vows to serve the bishop as a single person. What they had in common is that they both had careers that allowed them to support themselves, and had a ministry. [/quote] I remember reading about the consecration of a virgin in our diocese several years ago. She was a much older woman, about 50 years old I think. Back then, I had no idea what it meant and I thought it was a little weird since I had a very limited understanding of vocations. I thought the only vocations in the Church were the priesthood and marriage. I figured since I couldn't be a priest, I would have to get married and there was no alternative, which, ironically, made it easier to decide. Now that I've got a few options, I am going to have to pay more attention to the Holy Spirit. I wonder if our new Bishop is open to Consecrated Virgins? I hear it is a very touchy subject in some dioceses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I'm going to be 49 soon, so I guess that makes me a much older woman too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 [quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1298665848' post='2215586'] I'm going to be 49 soon, so I guess that makes me a much older woman too. [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherie Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1298665696' post='2215583'] She was a much older woman, about 50 years old I think. [/quote] Going through my "quarter-life crisis" really changed my perspective on this ... 50 is no longer "old" in my book. I'll be there before I know it! 70? Now maybe[i] that's[/i] what I consider old, but once I get to 50 I think I'll change my mind again! Anyway, to get back on topic, MM be assured of my prayers for your friend, and as always, for you as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 [quote name='CherieMadame' timestamp='1298666478' post='2215602'] Going through my "quarter-life crisis" really changed my perspective on this ... 50 is no longer "old" in my book. I'll be there before I know it! 70? Now maybe[i] that's[/i] what I consider old, but once I get to 50 I think I'll change my mind again! Anyway, to get back on topic, MM be assured of my prayers for your friend, and as always, for you as well! [/quote] I feel kind of silly for saying that. My mom always gives me 'that look' when I say 50 is old because she and my dad are over 50. I really don't mean that you are old and decrepit, LOL. Just that it is older than I am (I'll be 28 in July). Anyway, thanks for your prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now