Consecrated Single Life

[InPersonaChriste]

[quote name='BarbaraTherese' timestamp='1334381022' post='2417598']
I am not at all sure that your above post was directed to me and only incidental that it appears after my post.

For those in institutes of consecrated life, all would be spelt out for them more or less in their rule and constitution.

For me personally since I am under private vows, I needed to arrive at the conclusion that I am not a religious out of habit and out of monastery or convent. I am very much a lay person bound to the evangelical counsels by private vows - it is almost incidental to me personally that they are also the vows made by religious and consecrated to live out these vows. I have admired the religious I do know though I could not live the way that they do.

[/quote]

This was definitely not directed to anyone imparticular, I was just curious, and also trying to get a deeper understanding of what it was. Maybe I should contact a Consecrated, I hope my previous entry was not impertinent.


[quote name='cmariadiaz' timestamp='1334375149' post='2417563']
? Could you explain? I mean I know personally of one group of consecrated lay women, and even though I wouldn't enter that particular group of consecrated women, they do try to live their charism faithfully. So can you clarify? (Without entering into lots of specific details)
[/quote]

I don't exactly know how I can explain without me sounding harsh, maybe they were just having a [i]really[/i] bad day. And I dont think it helps that I don't completely understand the life of a Consecrated woman.

[BarbTherese]

[QUOTE]This was definitely not directed to anyone imparticular, I was just curious, and also trying to get a deeper understanding of what it was. Maybe I should contact a Consecrated, I hope my previous entry was not impertinent.[/quote]

No impertinence whatsoever and thank you for clarifying.
If by "a Consecrated' you mean formal consecrated in The Church, then that person is no longer in the lay state. They are in the consecrated state as a consecrated virgin or in a secular institute etc. This means my comments do not apply as I am definitely in the lay state and under private vows and by definite choice.
Two good articles on the vocation of the laity are here: [url="http://www.ignatius.com/promotions/cfe/documents/Disciples%20web%20pages.pdf"]http://www.ignatius....s web pages.pdf[/url]
[url="http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2006/colson_rolelaity2_oct06.asp"]http://www.ignatiusi...aity2_oct06.asp[/url]
Christifedeles Laici (John Paul II) - on the vocation of the laity [url="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_30121988_christifideles-laici_en.html"]http://www.vatican.v...s-laici_en.html[/url]

Broadly speaking, any way of life whatsoever either in a consecrated state outside of religious life or as a lay person, married or single, would include prayer and some kind of apostolate and following of The Gospel - ideally with spiritual direction. For me an "apostolate' does not of necessity mean some formal activity one undertakes in some sort of role in the community, The Church or otherwise. It could mean a particular spirit which is one's focus (see "charisms" in Christifedeles Laici)
[b][i]"Charisms[/i][/b]
24. The Holy Spirit, while bestowing diverse ministries in Church communion, enriches it still further with particular gifts or promptings of grace, called [i]charisms. [/i]These can take a great variety of forms, both as a manifestation of the absolute freedom of the Spirit who abundantly supplies them, and as a response to the varied needs of the Church in history. The description and the classification given to these gifts in the New Testament are an indication of their rich variety. "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ............ "


[quote]I don't exactly know how I can explain without me sounding harsh, maybe they were just having a [i]really[/i] bad day.[/quote]

Prior to choosing to confirm my private vows in a more formal manner (still private), I did spend an afternoon with a consecrated virgin and I did find personally that she was quite bitter re her place in The Church. She had been in religious life and left and later became a consecrated virgin. Ithink possibly Jesus might have been having a bad day (smiling!) when He cursed the poor fig tree - doubltess He had bad days just as we do. I wrote off the bitterness of the consecrated virgin as her particular personal experience in her particular situation - what her expectations were and that they were not met. She was not instrumental in me choosing private vows and I did considerable research before making a decision including consulting a Jesuit theologian at our Catholic University here then to strive to understand the theological situation of private vows to the ev. counsels.

[Theresita Nerita]

[quote name='beatitude' timestamp='1334316554' post='2416922']
Theresita, Barbara, and anybody else who is leading or feeling called to single life, do you have a particular spirituality? How does it give shape to your life?

At the heart of my own spirituality is the Incarnation. I have always been in love with the humanity of the Son of Man. I think this is one of the most beautiful of the names that we have for him. This focus on the Incarnation has given birth to two things: a love for Eucharistic Adoration and a love for reading the Bible, especially the gospels. I am humbled that Jesus chose to remain with us in the form of bread, a tangible sign of our most basic needs and a reminder that he alone fulfills them. When I read that Bl. Charles de Foucauld wanted his companions to learn the gospels by heart, I was delighted, because this is the kind of relationship that I want to have with them as well - not necessarily to be able to recite them word by word, but to be so familiar with the stories in them that they are with me wherever I go. Bl. Charles also placed great emphasis on daily Adoration, and service of people who are most neglected. This makes perfect sense to me, as my understanding of God is so earth-bound. Unlike St Therese, I have never felt homesick for heaven. I do want to stretch out my arms to the Christ I recognise in my neighbour.
[/quote]

Beatitude, I really like everything you've said here!

My spirituality (always evolving) focuses on love in its unitive aspect. St. Francis de Sales wrote that love unifies, hatred divides. And when I read that and realized I did not really want to be "unified" to God or to my neighbor, and in fact did not love them as I should, I started focusing on loving/ desiring unity with both God and with my neighbor. The latter is the hardest! But I think very fruitful. And the paradoxical aspect of love is important to my spirituality - since my mind naturally works in paradoxes and rebellions, instead of trying to suppress this I realized that only through embracing the whole paradox of God's love could I harness my craziness for God.

I guess if I was like St Therese and had a "Way" (spoiler alert: I am not razzle dazzle enough to have a Way!) it would be called The Sinner's Way or the Upside Down Way. As a concrete example of this: one of the most useful things I've figured out (with major help from St Therese and St. Francis de Sales, especially a book on St. Francis called "How to Profit from Your Faults" which I highly HIGHLY recommend) was that temptation is one of the most spiritually frutiful things that can happen. I realized that when God allows me to be tempted (in any way: sloth, doubt, lust, vanity, anything) in a certain sense he's asking for my love. Each temptation or little failure on my part is sort of like God saying "Hey, want to pay attention to me? You miss me or anything? Let's talk! Do you love me or anything?" And each temptation reminds me to say "Hey God! I love you! I have nothing besides you! Let's be closer from now on!"

And this helps me to see concretely how much God loves me by how often (aka very very often) he resorts to actual subterfuge to get me to spend time with him! How much love is that? It blows my mind. So each time I'm tempted instead of thinking "I smell of elderberries, what's the point!" and being embarrassed in front of God, I think "Really, God? We just talked. You want to talk again? You like me that much? You're crazy." And temptation becomes the best part of my day

[marigold]

[quote name='Theresita Nerita' timestamp='1334518868' post='2418248']
Beatitude, I really like everything you've said here!

My spirituality (always evolving) focuses on love in its unitive aspect. St. Francis de Sales wrote that love unifies, hatred divides. And when I read that and realized I did not really want to be "unified" to God or to my neighbor, and in fact did not love them as I should, I started focusing on loving/ desiring unity with both God and with my neighbor. The latter is the hardest! But I think very fruitful. And the paradoxical aspect of love is important to my spirituality - since my mind naturally works in paradoxes and rebellions, instead of trying to suppress this I realized that only through embracing the whole paradox of God's love could I harness my craziness for God.

I guess if I was like St Therese and had a "Way" (spoiler alert: I am not razzle dazzle enough to have a Way!) it would be called The Sinner's Way or the Upside Down Way. As a concrete example of this: one of the most useful things I've figured out (with major help from St Therese and St. Francis de Sales, especially a book on St. Francis called "How to Profit from Your Faults" which I highly HIGHLY recommend) was that temptation is one of the most spiritually frutiful things that can happen. I realized that when God allows me to be tempted (in any way: sloth, doubt, lust, vanity, anything) in a certain sense he's asking for my love. Each temptation or little failure on my part is sort of like God saying "Hey, want to pay attention to me? You miss me or anything? Let's talk! Do you love me or anything?" And each temptation reminds me to say "Hey God! I love you! I have nothing besides you! Let's be closer from now on!"

And this helps me to see concretely how much God loves me by how often (aka very very often) he resorts to actual subterfuge to get me to spend time with him! How much love is that? It blows my mind. So each time I'm tempted instead of thinking "I smell of elderberries, what's the point!" and being embarrassed in front of God, I think "Really, God? We just talked. You want to talk again? You like me that much? You're crazy." And temptation becomes the best part of my day
[/quote]

BAM. Yes. All of this. I don't know if this is exactly what you meant, but I particularly identified with the bit about realising you don't really want union with God and neighbour. For me, realising this same thing actually was the catalyst for opening up a whole lot more space in my life for other people. Does that make sense?

[beatitude]

[quote name='InPersonaChriste' timestamp='1334422642' post='2417724']
I don't exactly know how I can explain without me sounding harsh, maybe they were just having a [i]really[/i] bad day. And I dont think it helps that I don't completely understand the life of a Consecrated woman.
[/quote]

There are variations in the way that the life is lived out. People in secular institutes usually live in their own homes, although sometimes they may get together in groups. They retain their ordinary jobs. Each institute has its own particular spirituality, but at the core of each is a desire for a very hidden life in the heart of the world. It requires a deep prayer life, because there is no one else to make sure that you pray - it's just you and God. Then you carry Him out into your everyday life, as Mary did. Members of secular institutes come together regularly for retreats and prayer meetings, in order to encourage one another in the life.

Consecrated virgins do not belong to a group or institute; they make their vows under the bishop of their diocese. You can't become a CV without the bishop's support and approval. Some consecrated virgins are hermits, such as [url="http://notesfromstillsong.blogspot.co.uk/"]Sister Laurel[/url]. Others have ordinary jobs and are indistinguishable from anybody else in the street. They all have a special connection with, and responsibility toward, their home parish and diocese. Here is a [url="http://www.sponsa-christi.blogspot.co.uk/"]blog[/url] by a young CV that explains the vocation better than I can.

Then there are those people who have made private vows, like Barbara. Even though I focused on consecrated women in my opening post (because I aspire to be part of a secular institute, and I was rather self-centredly not giving thought to other forms of single life ) I think that her voice is important and I hope that other people in her position will post more.

As for encountering consecrated women who weren't very pleasant, I've encountered some thoroughly nasty nuns. We don't lose our human nature no matter what kind of lives we lead. I think it's right to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume they were just having a bad day, as we lose nothing by being kind.

I can see how people leading the single life might come to feel bitter, as it's often treated as a third-class vocation by other Catholics - even by those who hotly disclaim otherwise. For a long time I saw it as dull and dreary and not worth my attention, I admit it. Nothing visible marks you out as consecrated. This life doesn't have the same romance and mystique as religious life. The result is that women living this life are often overlooked and their contributions discounted. You need all the patience and kindness of Christ to deal with the sensation of being unappreciated (and even unwanted) that can accompany this vocation. I don't wonder that sometimes it leads to people turning sour. I pray that if this cross ever comes to me, I will carry it with love.

[BarbTherese]

Your final sentence is why it is important that one is conscious of responding to a call from Christ and to the Way of The Cross in unity with Him. There is that oft quoted sentence "No Christ without His Cross". The other important factor is ongoing spiritual direction and factors of 'third class vocation inThe Church' and one's other faults and weaknesses, as well as the negative attitudes of others will need to be confronted and be faced and dealt with. For example, I have a neighbour who's partner commented in blunt terms that I could not find a life partner. I was hurt by this comment as I strive to go out of my way to be a good neighbour. The hurt was my responsibility since I permitted myself to respond negatively to his comment rather than the fact that the problem is his not mine. I do not 'advertise' that I am single by choice and over a long period and have chosen private vows - and this might lead others to arrive at incorrect conclusions- and possibly understandable. If I reflect on the Gospels, Jesus too faced negative criticisms and incorrect conclusions by others. Not only this, but I am probably guilty of incorrect conclusions and blunt negative comments myself.
I recall a talk by a Benedictine prioress here pointing out that we all have weaknesses and we all have strengths. We share a quite common humanity and my particular weaknesses may be another's strengths, just as my strengths may be another's weaknesses.
Bitterness because of one's perceived lowly place in The Church scheme of things ideally should mean for joy in one's rightful place in humility and even humiliation. Jesus does not come to us in His rightful dignity and Glory as King of Kings, but as a poor and lowly, vulnerable baby in a manger. He does not choose to adopt His Rightful Place in the scheme of things but totally divests Himself of it, to be poor and lowly. The least. Any bitterness is a fault and weakness at very least and needs to be addressed and owned taking responsibility and accountability for it and then working to overcome it and this will take a close look at one's perspectives and attitudes on a number of levels.

The Cross through which our astounding redemption is achieved is not a figure of great glory to human eyes, but one of failure, disgrace, great suffering and abandonment. Yet we know it is the Glorious Sign of Total Victory affirmed by the Resurrection of the dead Jesus. "Take up your (own) cross daily and come follow Me".

Accepting a call to the single lay celibate state outside any organization in The Church means that one is abandoning, indeed, all desire and even hope for any sort of status, approval or recognition whatsoever in the scheme of things and for love of God and in a desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus even to Calvary if needs be. Grace will not be lacking and this was one of the things I spoke with the Jesuits theologian about. Without God's Grace to support me all the way, to guide and strengthen me, I knew I probably would never persevere in the life - and at times I almost didn't and faltered and failed. I needed to know too that if along the way I was not strong enough, that God would be faithful with my repentance. At 30yrs of age I was still a quite attractive young woman and totally unsure of what I was about to do in private vows meaning implications and Grace brought me back always to the life. My Jesuits theologian was most affirming on all points I raised. When I made private vows though theologically possible, it was totally unheard of to my knowledge outside of any organization whatsoever in The Church.

Edited April 18, 2012 by BarbaraTherese

[BarbTherese]

[quote]My spirituality (always evolving) focuses on love in its unitive aspect.[/quote]

Not directly commenting on the above: - St Teresa of Avila writing to her nuns about unusual mystical phenomena wrote that the surest and safest way to Union was through "love of neighbour". She mentions that unusual mystical type phenomena can be dangerous due to the fact that it is open to many deceptions and failings. Deception by self and the devil and failings of spiritual pride and spiritual vanity - of desiring the gift more than The Giver.

Striving to love one's neighbour (everyone without exception) for the Love of God will surely and safely lead to Union with God. Just as striving to Love God with one's whole heart, mind and soul will always lead without fail surely and safely to love of neighbour. "How can you say you Love God whom you cannot see if you do not love your neighbour whom you can see?"

Love is all embracing. It is the Life of The Trinity and overflows to creation to embrace all creation. In Grace we share in that Life. As we pray in the Mass "that we may share in His Divinity, who humbled Himself to share in our humanity". Amazing!!! That the fulness of Grace and Love may be realized in us.

Jesus said something pretty amazing to St Faustina - that the worst sinner has the most right to His Loving Mercy. Conversely, the one we like the least and has offended us the most has the most right to our Love and merciful, understanding forgiveness. We share a common humanity.

Edited April 18, 2012 by BarbaraTherese

[Theresita Nerita]

[quote name='beatitude' timestamp='1334680464' post='2419457']
You need all the patience and kindness of Christ to deal with the sensation of being unappreciated (and even unwanted) that can accompany this vocation.
[/quote]

Prawwwps.

Sometimes I think that this right here is the main spiritual fruit of this vocation - what singles it out. Being "a [woman] of constant sorrow" with nowhere to lay your head and everyone secretly pitying you can be a charism in itself. The consecrated single laywoman could arguably be said to approach Christ through Humility the same way Dominicans approach Christ through Teaching/Preaching or Franciscans through Poverty.

[beatitude]

TheresaNita, thank you for making the connection between the single life and humility. Humility is something that I consider extremely important to how I live my life, but I had never related it to my single state before. It reminds me of Jesus' blessing on those who are 'poor in spirit' - what is humility but true and reverent knowledge of that poverty?

[i]Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.[/i]

He also said, "The kingdom of heaven is within you." So strange, to find it in the most ordinary and humdrum of all places, with no overt religious trappings.

Edited April 18, 2012 by beatitude

[Chiquitunga]

Praised be Jesus Christ! I found this thread from earlier this year searching for old threads on private vows, in relation to the other thread .. although first, as has been stated here before, people in secular institutes do not take private vows but public vows and that they are considered consecrated by the Church (ie. this is a form of Consecrated Life) as Religious, Consecrated Virgins & Diocesan Hermits are.

 

So anyway, my question after reading this thread is this ... wouldn't it then be incorrect to use the term "single consecrated life" since these people are publicly vowed under the evangelical counsels as religious are? Wouldn't the term "single" be incorrect in describing them then? or perhaps it is a correct term .. I know I've heard it before, but I didn't think about it too much. I guess I just feel like those who make a public vow of chastity to the Lord should not be considered "single" 

 

I do not ask this in relation to the debate out there on whether the single vocation (which would not include those in secular institutes) is a true vocation. This debate we can save for another thread/maybe there is one already out there. My opinion in brief on that is that every human being is so unique, as is God's plan for them, that their way of following Christ may not be specifically in either marriage or consecrated life (or the clergy if they are male) like Gabrielle Bossis, as was mentioned in this thread.

 

But anyway, my main question here again is ... would it be correct to use the term "single" when speaking of those in secular institutes?  

 

 

Second, just to clarify a little here... 

 

Consecrated virgins do not belong to a group or institute; they make their vows under the bishop of their diocese. You can't become a CV without the bishop's support and approval. Some consecrated virgins are hermits, such as Sister Laurel. Others have ordinary jobs and are indistinguishable from anybody else in the street. They all have a special connection with, and responsibility toward, their home parish and diocese. Here is a blog by a young CV that explains the vocation better than I can.

 

Consecrated Virgins do not profess vows but are passively consecrated as virgin brides of Christ by a bishop, not unlike the consecration of a church building :like:

 

I do not believe Sr. Laurel is a Consecrated Virgin. She is a Diocesan Hermit. Only in unusual cases, as was learned in the other thread :proud: could someone be both.

[beatitude]

Second, just to clarify a little here... 

 

 

Consecrated Virgins do not profess vows but are passively consecrated as virgin brides of Christ by a bishop, not unlike the consecration of a church building :like:

 

I do not believe Sr. Laurel is a Consecrated Virgin. She is a Diocesan Hermit. Only in unusual cases, as was learned in the other thread  :proud: could someone be both.

 

Thank you for that clarification. At the time I wrote that I was under the impression that Sr Laurel was like Sr Wendy down in Norfolk. I don't know why.

 

Regarding everything else you write, when I picked the title of this thread I made it as broad as possible so that vocations other than the secular institute could be discussed. The thread was never intended to be some definitive canonical guide to secular institutes, so I think you're splitting hairs a bit by focusing on the title.

 

Secondly, to be honest I don't find these technical discussions about whether to use the word 'single' or not to be helpful to me. I do understand that some people love going into the intricacies of Church vocabulary and canon law, and if you benefit from it, great, but I don't get anything valuable out of it myself. Personally I like the word 'single' - nice and simple - but I'm not going to get fussed if others see it as inaccurate. For the most part I'm too preoccupied with the business of living to overthink the words others might call me by, and I also think there is a danger that such discussion is used to create a hierarchy amongst us. As has been discussed earlier in the thread, 'single' can sometimes be used as a dirty word in the church, and there are people who argue that it isn't a vocation. This is hard for people like Barbara. I think describing myself as single is a good way to counter that.

Edited December 28, 2012 by beatitude

[Chiquitunga]

Okay, that makes perfect sense! Yes, sometimes these discussions on all the technicalities can be overbearing/annoying.. and seem to have even a competitive motive in them, which would be entirely opposite of the Gospel! I totally agree. Although at the same time, I think it's good to get things straight/make things clear especially on a public phorum like this, so people understand and get the correct information on all of the various vocations within the Church out there.

 

Personally, I am helping someone out who is wanting to learn more about secular institutes/consecrated single life, so I find running into this old thread and the current discussions here on CVs and hermits very timely.

 

Upon researching a little further, this post on Sponsa-Christi's blog I found helpful, http://sponsa-christi.blogspot.com/2010/06/various-forms-of-consecrated-life.html  And it does look to be completely correct to use the term "single" or "single consecrated life" in speaking of someone in a secular institute because of canon 711 (although, yes, thanks for clarifying the meaning of the title of this thread, yes I think i am splitting hairs! lol) edit: although I don't think it would be correct to use this term when referring to a secular institute like the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, http://www.schsrsmary.org/faqs.html So it seems that these terms are really not nailed in stone so to say.

 

another edit to add: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/consecrated-life/forms-of-consecrated-life.cfm  It's written clearly in Canon Law that secular institutes are a form of Consecrated Life just to say again :like:

 

In any case, again, what is truly important in all of this is following the Gospel and what Our Lord said about the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.... I love how Barbara relates this to her vocation in quietly and joyfully embracing the lay state in private vows as she wrote in the other thread; about how Jesus stripped Himself of everything including His entitlement of God.

Edited December 28, 2012 by Chiquitunga

[Chiquitunga]

Also this.. :like: 

 

Sometimes I think that this right here is the main spiritual fruit of this vocation - what singles it out. Being "a [woman] of constant sorrow" with nowhere to lay your head and everyone secretly pitying you can be a charism in itself. The consecrated single laywoman could arguably be said to approach Christ through Humility the same way Dominicans approach Christ through Teaching/Preaching or Franciscans through Poverty.

 

[Sister_Laurel]

There are variations in the way that the life is lived out. People in secular institutes usually live in their own homes, although sometimes they may get together in groups. They retain their ordinary jobs. Each institute has its own particular spirituality, but at the core of each is a desire for a very hidden life in the heart of the world. It requires a deep prayer life, because there is no one else to make sure that you pray - it's just you and God. Then you carry Him out into your everyday life, as Mary did. Members of secular institutes come together regularly for retreats and prayer meetings, in order to encourage one another in the life.

Consecrated virgins do not belong to a group or institute; they make their vows under the bishop of their diocese. You can't become a CV without the bishop's support and approval. Some consecrated virgins are hermits, such as Sister Laurel. Others have ordinary jobs and are indistinguishable from anybody else in the street. They all have a special connection with, and responsibility toward, their home parish and diocese. Here is a blog by a young CV that explains the vocation better than I can.

Then there are those people who have made private vows, like Barbara. Even though I focused on consecrated women in my opening post (because I aspire to be part of a secular institute, and I was rather self-centredly not giving thought to other forms of single life ;) ) I think that her voice is important and I hope that other people in her position will post more.

As for encountering consecrated women who weren't very pleasant, I've encountered some thoroughly nasty nuns. We don't lose our human nature no matter what kind of lives we lead. I think it's right to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume they were just having a bad day, as we lose nothing by being kind.

I can see how people leading the single life might come to feel bitter, as it's often treated as a third-class vocation by other Catholics - even by those who hotly disclaim otherwise. For a long time I saw it as dull and dreary and not worth my attention, I admit it. Nothing visible marks you out as consecrated. This life doesn't have the same romance and mystique as religious life. The result is that women living this life are often overlooked and their contributions discounted. You need all the patience and kindness of Christ to deal with the sensation of being unappreciated (and even unwanted) that can accompany this vocation. I don't wonder that sometimes it leads to people turning sour. I pray that if this cross ever comes to me, I will carry it with love.

 

Just  to clarify a slightly ambiguous sentence above: I am a diocesan hermit; I am not a consecrated virgin living in the world who is also a hermit. Another comment about terminology. Despite Baptismal consecration (which, despite making us a new creation, is not the same as what the Church refers to as consecrated life) Lay persons live DEDICATED lives if they make commitments specifiying their Baptismal commitments, not consecrated lives. Consecrated life is a phrase referring to a stable state of life other than lay life. The rights and obligations attached to it come from canon laws that do not apply to everyone and do not come from Baptism alone. One is initiated into it via public (not private) vows or other sacred bonds (possible only in the case of a diocesan hermit) or by public consecration by God in the hands of the diocesan Bishop. This profession/consecration establishes new relationships, rights, and obligations in law. The term consecrated life or consecrated state of life is reserved for this usage. (It should be noted that the more profound change in the person's status comes with Baptism when they are re-created in Christ. Given this theological fact, we should be careful treating vocations to the consecrated state as "higher vocations" than vocations to the lay state.)

 

Vatican II was VERY careful in its use of the term "consecrated". It used it to refer to an act of God alone. Only God is holy and only God can consecrate something or someone. The human part of the equation was always referred to as some form of dedication. Despite our now-common use of the term consecrate as something we do to set something or someone apart for God (as in I consecrate myself to God) this usage is theologically inaccurate and obscures the truth. In a profession of public vows, for instance, the human part of the ceremony involves the making of vows as a form of dedication and life commitment;  in perpetual vows this is followed with a prayer of Solemn Consecration with the Bishop's hands outstretched over the newly-professed. (In temporary vows this long prayer is replaced by a different prayer, or simply left out as is the litany of the Saints and prostration). Again, this understands that God does the consecrating but that this consecration is mediated by legitimate superiors in the Church. We often speak of the whole act, human and divine together as profession or as consecration, but truly the human act is dedication and the Divine is consecration.

 

Sincerely,

Sister Laurel M O'Neal, Er Dio

Stillsong Hermitage

Diocese of Oakland

http://notesfromstillsong.blogspot.com

[emmaberry101]

Also this.. :like:

 

Hm, cannot get your quote-within-the-quote to show up, but that was beautiful, Chiquitunga!

 

I agree that the lay "single" vocation, seeming so ordinary to most (just like Our Lady!) is really one of the most humble vocations, if not the most humble. Wonderful.

[BarbTherese]

 Barbara relates this to her vocation in quietly and joyfully embracing the lay state in private vows as she wrote in the other thread; about how Jesus stripped Himself of everything including His entitlement of God.

 

I would just like to clarify that my relating to Jesus in His Humanity setting aside all His entitlements and Glory as God, is probably more about my Bipolar condition than my vocation to the lay state in private vows, although it is partly that also in being honoured to be put down to the most less, while in the interests of truth I will speak up that the vocation to the lay state in private vows does exist - anyting else would cancel out completely my existence, my whole existence and challenge my consciousness.  And of course, there are documents here and there that do support such a vocation and I have quoted these in previous threads on the lay state vocation.

   I went through a few stages in my journey with Bipolar and initially it was denial, then came anger that my life was turned upside down in every way.  I was angry and resentful at the rejection of me by others - until I realized two things on a spiritual level.  First, people do become mentally ill and why not me. People do go through major life losses, then why not me.  I was able too to quietly reflect on those suffering far more than me and in all innocence, unlike me.   Then I refleted on the crucifix from a different perspective together with what St Paul said about Jesus stripping Himself of His Rights as God - and this led me to a loving embracing of Bipolar and with a no little sense of honour.  I had a God permitted opportunity perhaps denied to others in such a radical manner -  to do similar.    Hence while I will most often struggle against any kind of stigma as injustice and inaccurate (interests of truth), I really can nowadays embrace all negative factors that can accompany my condition as a privilege in view of what St Paul so beautifully and concisely points out for us about Jesus.  As a human being I am for one entitled to respect for my person and very often sufferers of mental illness are denied this and other things too that 'normal' people in our society take for granted.  Our rights as human beings.

Frankly, I am amazed truly that such as I could have a vocation and the Graces to live it in the first place.  Also, I feel honoured and again truly that Bipolar has put me in a group of people who really are outstanding human beings when you get to know them and human beings who endure almost impossible suffering, marginalization and neglect, rejection. I wasn't long into my journey with Bipolar to realize I was there for a reason - and a positive reason be it because of my sinfulness and need of full repentance with eyes open, for my purification and betterment - or for some other positive reason - or even all of them and at one time or another all reasons applied.  I am no longer that same person that began a journey with Bipolar. I have undergone radical change in a positive direction not yet concluded.  It is the dance of life of one step forward two back etc. Having started out the major portion of my adult life quite financially sound and in good health - and well respected in the communities to which I belonged then and this included my diocesan and parish communities, I did come to realize or perhaps suspect is better why Jesus did seek out the outcasts of His society and had such compassion for them, why He chose to be born among them and as one of them.  Why His LIfe concluded as it did and in total rejection by all, a figure of shame, except for one apostle and his mother and a few women.

 

 We have our laws and definitions in The Church and I respect them totally but how such laws and definitions are sometimes applied can really and truly sadden me.  That those within or aspiring to the highest and most wonderful Graces God offers can seemingly stoop so low as to put others down including fellow Catholics - and on a website that is Catholic and sometimes in a forum for vocations that is open to the whole world.  Whether we desire to or not, aware of it or not, it is going to be the type of persons that we are that will speak the loudest before anything we actually have to say is heard - including what we are writing into these Catholic Discussion forums in an age where most all seeking information will turn to their computer and Google.  I have been amazed, disturbed, at some things that have come up on Google as I searched for Catholic information. 

 

   Sure and for absolutely sure, we need to strive to correct inaccuracies (interests of justice and truth) wherever they may occur - and ideally with absolute loving respect for the other or others and as a beloved child of God so much Jesus died terribly for that person in a very cruel manner.  We need to speak to the subject to my mind, not against the person.   "Whatever you do to one of these tho it be the least of my bretheren, you have done it to Me"  Startling words! Startling Truth!  How totally intimately Jesus identifies with the downtrodden.  How close to Mary's "be it done unto me" reply to the angel at which moment, The Son of The Father is incarnated through the Power of The Holy Spirit.  It reminds me of "we are what we choose".

 It sort of reminds me of what Jesus said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" - with that I had no choice but to chuck all my stones away.  Who has not put a false step and then followed it with a few others.  Who has not made mistakes and failed.  Who has not gone down a wrong path, and had to turn back.  I have done it all for absolutely sure with a healthy mistrust  of myself for the future.......but ahhh, you see, their offence is more serious than mine always. Mine can stay secret - theirs MUST be exposed.

         There is that beautiful story said to come from the Desert Fathers.  A monk had committed a quite serious offence in the monastery and was banned from choir for a month.  The monks noticed that the abbot was also not in choir and fearing he might be ill, his council went to his cell asking if he was ok.  The abbot replied "But I too am a sinner".

I may not put my words theologically correct and sometimes it can be like walking on glass writing into Catholic forums, fearful that one is putting something theologically incorrect and rather than quietly and gently amending where necessary, the writer's meaning is obscured by what can feel like a ton of bricks coming down upon one and a whole lot of theological statements that the ordinary person in the pew, of whom I am one, cannot grasp in any way.  Sometimes I can almost mutter to myself "blinded by science" and move on.  Sometimes I can almost mutter to myself "what the heck" and jump in with both feet.

 

Off me very rickety and absolutely unqualified pulpit ...........and in a thread I had resolved not to comment.............St Paul "why is it that I find myself doing the very things I have made up my mind not to do and what can save me? Why, nothing but the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ".

[BarbTherese]

Back on my rickety and unqualified pulpit!!! :oops:

 

While I could not find any Catholic  theological definition anywhere of “Single”, the word does exist in the secular dictionary with several definitions.  I think probably all understand what “single” means and to my mind to use the words of another poster in this thread “splitting theological hairs” to dispute over its use, while in the interests of truth, it does not have a Catholic theological per se definition which can be quietly and gently pointed out.  There is no such thing as a single vocation in theological terms.  The common term theologically used by The Church is “vocation to the celibate state” which of course is the single state for Catholics.  It is the state of celibacy.  Those who may use “single state” or “single vocation” are not intending at all to be offensive and gentleness is called for in stating any correction.  The bulk of us are not any sort of highly educated person in various Church schools of thought, theology - whatever is the precise theological term or whatever â€“ we cannot be expected to use precise theological terms and even to wonder why some insist that one does and probably may soon forget once a thread dies its natural death.

New forms of religious living have at times had a struggle to be recognized as “consecrated life” formally by The Church.  Initially, for example, nuns were always enclosed with solemn vows and these were the only forms of religious life per se until the 16^th century.  New forms of most anything inside The Church and in society could very well have “painful birth pangs” and nothing new in initially being tolerated only, even held suspect (some supressed at least initially – St Mary of The Cross Sisters of St Joseph), rather than fully accepted and embraced as entirely valid is probably most always painful on the human level anyway. (See New Advent “Religious Life”, sub heading “Institutes with Simple Vows” HERE ).  What applies now for example, may not necessarily apply in the future, how long in the future is unknown nor even if it ever will apply.  One goes on with absolute trust in God and His Will as prevailing finally and overcoming all and any obstacles and one’s investment primarily ideally will be in God and His Will rather than any sort of self-investment or gain and the former will override what one may hope.  When one finds that God’s Will is not as one had hoped, on the human level it is always probably painful to have one’s hopes dashed and an entirely human reaction– on the spiritual level however, darkness can disperse into the light of Peace and Joy……….even as the human level might struggle to journey and embrace lovingly the source of that Peace and Joy.

 

Vita Consecrata – “The Consecrated Life” – Pope John Paul II HERE

 

“Thanksgiving for the Consecrated Life

2. Because the role of consecrated life in the Church is so important, I decided to convene a Synod in order to examine in depth its significance and its future prospects, especially in view of the approaching new millennium. It was my wish that the Synodal Assembly should include, together with the Bishops, a considerable number of consecrated men and women, in order that they too might contribute to the common reflection.

We are all aware of the treasure which the gift of the consecrated life in the variety of its charisms and institutions represents for the ecclesial community. Together let us thank God for the Religious Orders and Institutes devoted to contemplation or the works of the apostolate, for Societies of Apostolic Life, for Secular Institutes and for other groups of consecrated persons, as well as for all those individuals who, in their inmost hearts, dedicate themselves to God by a special consecration.

 

 

It would seem from the above, that those of us who have embraced single celibacy (including perhaps the ev. counsels) can use the term "special consecration" of self dedication to God.   Whether His Holiness is referring by the expression “future prospects” to those dedicating “themselves to God by a special consecration” is probably debatable – some may want to include it, others to speak against it.  Who knows beyond doubt and may God’s Will prevail, which it will. “If God is with us, who then can be against us”.  Certainly a dedication of self privately to God by a “special consecration” is not supressed by Rome, rather affirmed – and it might be that The Lord’s intention is that this way of life continues as a private dedication only and outside of the “consecrated life” per se in strict theological terms and if so, then His Glory will be served.

 

During the time of her excommunication and suppresion of her religious order, Mother Mary of The Cross MacKillop refused to speak against the excommunicating Bishop on a personal level, though she felt he was wrong (he later lifted the excommunication) nor would she allow her sisters to do so.  This spoke to me about speaking to the subject and not personally attacking the initiator of the subect.

 

Sr, Lauren had a beautiful expression offering some hope for the future for those who may be isolated and marginalized re the consecrated life.  She called it a transfiguration of isolation and marginalization into true solitude or similar wording.  And I think of this as the alone with The Alone – but never lonely.  Whether ever embraced by The Church as a new  form of consecrated state of life, one can always aspire to transfiguration of negative factors in life into some aspect of Truth initiating Peace and Joy.  Spiritual direction and reading, prayerful trust and confidence, can certainly help in this journey.  Someone in this thread spoke about “embracing one’s faults” rather than rejecting them.  Certainly, self knowledge is the foundation of humility – and humility is the foundation of all the virtues.  Striving ardently against faults can be a rejection of oneself, like demanding discourteously that an unwanted stranger please leave the premises.   This embracing of faults, it seemed to me, is a journey of transfiguration of something negative into a greater good in the interests of The Kingdom.  The relevant post was worth the read and I will try to link to that post also at a later point.  I think it was nunsense who pointed out well too that we can leave with great confidence the work to God, to The Holy Spirit, if we will only trust Him – and another excellent post.

 

Phatmass is loading exceptionally slowly for me and finally timing right out -  and I have a load of ironing to complete to put bread and butter on the table after the expense of Christmas and I am going to have to cab it to Mass and back tomorrow morning – no buses heading my way and on to our Churches.   I think there is a special collection too this Sunday besides the normal two.   I have written this post into Word during breaks.  I will return at some stage and link also to Sr. Lauren’s actual post on the subject of transfiguration of isolation and marginalization into true solitude. (it would be worth a thread on "true solitude")

Each of the referred to posts have ‘rung a bell’ for me and I am still awaiting the ‘pennies to drop’ completely and this means to reflect prayerfully on what has been said until things do click into place for me.  I will talk things over with my director too.  The Holy Spirit works in a great variety of different ways.  I like to say “you never know who you sit beside on the bus”.  Meaning that we never know just when The Holy Spirit may have something to say – or by what means.  And The Holy Spirit is not at all ‘snobbish’and selective speaking only in some ways, not in others, and many are the most unlikely places, times and people through which He will speak.  I like to think that it is a contemplative type of consciousness that is aware of/hears The Holy Spirit speaking at all times, in all places and through all people.  Like nunsense, when her heart saw into the essence of humility when she asked Mother Teresa’s mother to say Grace over a meal.

 

 

 

[Chiquitunga]

Hm, cannot get your quote-within-the-quote to show up, but that was beautiful, Chiquitunga!

 

I agree that the lay "single" vocation, seeming so ordinary to most (just like Our Lady!) is really one of the most humble vocations, if not the most humble. Wonderful.

 

That was from Theresita Nerita :like: http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/120356-consecrated-single-life/page-2#entry2420340

[Chiquitunga]

Praised be Jesus Christ! Wow, BarbaraTherese I just read both of your posts and they are full of so many deep insights indeed!

 

 

I went through a few stages in my journey with Bipolar and initially it was denial, then came anger that my life was turned upside down in every way.  I was angry and resentful at the rejection of me by others - until I realized two things on a spiritual level.  First, people do become mentally ill and why not me. People do go through major life losses, then why not me.  I was able too to quietly reflect on those suffering far more than me and in all innocence, unlike me. Then I reflected on the crucifix from a different perspective together with what St Paul said about Jesus stripping Himself of His Rights as God - and this led me to a loving embracing of Bipolar and with a no little sense of honour.  I had a God permitted opportunity perhaps denied to others in such a radical manner -  to do similar.    Hence while I will most often struggle against any kind of stigma as injustice and inaccurate (interests of truth), I really can nowadays embrace all negative factors that can accompany my condition as a privilege in view of what St Paul so beautifully and concisely points out for us about Jesus.  As a human being I am for one entitled to respect for my person and very often sufferers of mental illness are denied this and other things too that 'normal' people in our society take for granted.  Our rights as human beings.

Frankly, I am amazed truly that such as I could have a vocation and the Graces to live it in the first place.  Also, I feel honoured and again truly that Bipolar has put me in a group of people who really are outstanding human beings when you get to know them and human beings who endure almost impossible suffering, marginalization and neglect, rejection. I wasn't long into my journey with Bipolar to realize I was there for a reason - and a positive reason be it because of my sinfulness and need of full repentance with eyes open, for my purification and betterment - or for some other positive reason - or even all of them and at one time or another all reasons applied.  I am no longer that same person that began a journey with Bipolar. I have undergone radical change in a positive direction not yet concluded.  It is the dance of life of one step forward two back etc. Having started out the major portion of my adult life quite financially sound and in good health - and well respected in the communities to which I belonged then and this included my diocesan and parish communities, I did come to realize or perhaps suspect is better why Jesus did seek out the outcasts of His society and had such compassion for them, why He chose to be born among them and as one of them.  Why His Life concluded as it did and in total rejection by all, a figure of shame, except for one apostle and his mother and a few women.

 

This is great Barbara.... I can relate to this on so many levels..  major life losses/being marginalized/misunderstood, etc. Thank you for this and all of these reflections... :pray:

 

 

 

Vita Consecrata – “The Consecrated Life” – Pope John Paul II HERE

“Thanksgiving for the Consecrated Life

2. Because the role of consecrated life in the Church is so important, I decided to convene a Synod in order to examine in depth its significance and its future prospects, especially in view of the approaching new millennium. It was my wish that the Synodal Assembly should include, together with the Bishops, a considerable number of consecrated men and women, in order that they too might contribute to the common reflection.

We are all aware of the treasure which the gift of the consecrated life in the variety of its charisms and institutions represents for the ecclesial community. Together let us thank God for the Religious Orders and Institutes devoted to contemplation or the works of the apostolate, for Societies of Apostolic Life, for Secular Institutes and for other groups of consecrated persons, as well as for all those individuals who, in their inmost hearts, dedicate themselves to God by a special consecration.

 

Oooo... awesome find/quote BarbaraTherese! and very wonderful to read that last line... I think this includes not only so many people hidden and unknown in our society, but also so many saints like St. Gemma Galgani or many of the mystics posted about on this blog, http://www.mysticsofthechurch.com

 

Thanks again for all of your reflections! 

 

p.s. also regarding the word "single" I realized while I was at adoration today, my reason for being so technical (and slightly aggressive perhaps in my questioning, aahhh) there with this word is actually more in a secular sense of the word .. as in the term "single" meaning "available" / that you're not taken/committed/given over to anyone ... which someone in public vows in a secular institute or private vows like yourself, certainly is not. But yeah, I realized that's more the secular use of the term if you understand what I mean.. like on Facebook (which I had temporarily for a while, not currently though) but anyway, like how you can change your status to single/in a relationship/engaged/married, etc.

 

Okay, God bless & good night! lol   :sleep2:

Edited December 29, 2012 by Chiquitunga

[BarbTherese]

:wave:  May all praise and thanksgiving in all things be where it truly belongs.  Nothing that is good can happen apart from the Grace of God as author of any good small or great:  "[9] Doth he thank that servant, for doing the things which he commanded him? [10] I think not. So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do "

I am hoping you will not think me ungracious, which you have every right to do.  I just can't unstuck meself from this jolly pulpit! :pope2:

I know what you mean about others and being 'single' - my next door neighbour's friend made a passing 'crack' that I could not find a man and was an old spinster -  and this info was shared with me.  I mean to try to sort people out just may complicated things further.  And so I retained my peace....laughed..........and then 'kicked the cat' - poor Missie :)   One afternoon after a particuarly trying day, I was sitting at the kitchen table reasoning with my anger about how I had it all wrong and how to overcome anger and retain a sense of Peace and of Joy.  Unable to convince myself I suddenly picked up my coffee and shattered the cup on the kitchen wall and coffee went everywhere - and I was minus one more coffee cup.  :hehe2:  The dance of life - one step forward three or four back! :dancer2:  I said to my director one day (religious sister and had been novice mistress in her religious order) "How would you like to try to rein me in in a noviciate?"  She just laughed heartily and shook her head.

About the quote from "Vita Consecrata", I was struggling on some discussion site somewhere in a thread about  the single state or celibate state as vocation, which was in dispute. Someone sent me a PM with "I think this is what you might need".  I too was overjoyed to read what The Holy Father said.  The link you gave to the mystics makes fascinating reading.  I have been to that site a couple of times as there is plenty to read - amazing women and some disturbing reading.  One reads about our saints and what they went through - to empathize and put oneself in their position reveals how much The Grace of God is fruitful in them, but oh my what they endured.

 

Edited December 29, 2012 by BarbaraTherese