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The intriguing world of consecrated virgins: "I married Christ"
But on the great day she was standing in front of the altar, in front of the bishop, there was no fiance at his side.
Jessica Hayes bought a wedding dress, a veil and an alliance. She was married to Jesus Christ.
Jessica is 41 years old and a consecrated virgin. This vocation is embraced by the women of the Catholic Church who wish to be "brides of God".
During the dedication ceremony, wearing a white dress resembling that of a wife – made vow of eternal chastity and promises never to have bad or love affairs
Women also wear a alliance, symbolizing marriage with Christ
"I am often asked if I am married," says Jessica. (19659007) 10464364520150815jessicahayesconsecratedvirgin023-04ece841bb5494a66defe36b60f9e01.jpg ” clbad=”img img-responsive image-large”/>
Unlike nuns, consecrated virgins do not live in communities. ” clbad=”img img-responsive image-large”/>
In addition to nuns
"I have been teaching for 18 years." I teach in high school the same school as me, "says Jessica, who lives in Fort. Wayne, Indiana, United States
"Before my consecration, I realized that I had no vocation for community life, such as that of the nuns, nor in a religious congregation with a pastoral specific."
When she does not teach, she devotes a great deal of her time to prayer and penance. Jessica comes to a bishop and meets regularly with her spiritual advisor.
"I am part of a parish located three kilometers from my home.I am always available to help my friends and family.And I teach.I am surrounded by people all day, but I can still welcome this special consecration to the Lord. "
" Permanent Commitment "
Even in the Catholic Church, consecrated virgins are little known, in part because this vocation has not been than publicly acknowledged. by the church less than 50 years ago
However, virgins have been part of the Catholic Church since the early days of religion.
Among them is Agnes of Rome who, in order to remain in chastity, refused to marry the governor of the city.
During the first three centuries before Christ, many died as martyrs defending fidelity to God. The practice of surrendering to Christ, but not as a nun, declined in the age of medicine as the popularity of religious life in monasteries grew. But the "consecrated virgins" were re-established by the Ordo Consecrationis virginum of 1971 [1971] – a document in which the Vatican recognizes the eternal virginity of women as voluntary consecration as an integral part of life. Catholic Church.
For Jessica, this vocation time was "unknown territory". She had never considered becoming a consecrated virgin before meeting a spiritual advisor who "started asking the right questions".
"It was beginning to be clear that God was asking me to live a marital relationship with him"
Jessica made the decision in 2013 and the consecration took place two years later. The culmination of the rite occurs when the virgin is prostrate on the altar as a sign of surrender to God.
"It was me who offered me as a gift and received God in a permanent commitment."
"Although I (19659024) 10461945820150815jessicahayesconsecratedvirgin044-17ed100e94cf84851ce1e609476f1d7e.jpg ” clbad=”img img-responsive image-large”/>
She is one of the 254" women of the world, women of Jesus "in the United States, according to the American Association of Consecrated Virgins. Among them are nurses, psychologists, accountants, businesswomen and firefighters.
According to a 2015 survey, there are at least 4,000 consecrated virgins in the world, and the Vatican says that this vocation rose "in various geographical areas." Jessica had not made another vow of chastity before deciding to join the virgin order at the age of 36.
She already had a love relationship before, but states that she never felt complete. "I thought I had to have a couple life, which is a natural desire of people, so I dated with somebody. one, but never anything serious, "he says. 9659001] "I went out with good people, but without any relationship was the best thing to do at this time." Living in a society where baduality is highly valued can be difficult for virgins who choose to avoid intimate relationships throughout their lives.
"I think the most difficult should not be understood because our choice is perceived as a counter-culture" Many people say, "Oh, you're single." And I have to explain that my main relationship is with God, what I do, is to submit my body to him.
In July, the directives issued by the Vatican provoked an uproar among consecrated virgins.
The Question Under Review It was actually a question of whether women who choose this vocation should be virgins.
Unlike nuns, who can vow celibacy as soon as they enter the religious order, it is expected that the wives of Christ is In section 88 of the document, the Vatican states that " maintaining the body in perfect continence and practicing the vitriol of chastity in exemplary fashion "is important, but not an" essential "condition for
The American Association of Consecrated Virgins, of which Jessica is a member, has ruled the guidelines "shocking" and "intentionally confusing".
The tradition has always been of "Material and formal virginity (physical and spiritual) is needed to receive consecration," the badociation said in a statement.
Jessica says she would like the document to be "clearer," but is delighted.
"And the document still demands that candidates can not have been married or seen in public or blatant violation of chastity," said Pope Benedict XVI.
<img src = "https://media.metrolatam.com/2018/12/07/10461953120150815jessicahayesconsecratedvirgin043-311bd6f9d8076b40955064c680c7b253-1200×0.jpg" alt = "" There may have been a blind act in the past, when the consecrated was young, or the woman had perhaps been raped and had ceased to be a virgin, not out of choice, "he says.
" Vocations are increasing because people feel the need to ". a radical commitment to God. "
Jessica says that the important thing is to encourage this vocation among Catholic women, perhaps the Church needs it now."
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