Consecrated Virginity

[Shana]

[quote name='Chamomile' timestamp='1297387564' post='2211171']
So... I'm going to throw this out there because I've always wondered it, and this seems like the right place to ask it.

I've come across many writings about religious life that stress virginity. Especially in Poor Clare literature. Also on the main page for the Franciscans of the Immaculate in American: [url="http://marymediatrix.com/"]FI Sisters[/url]. Scroll down, and you'll see it says "Consecrated Virginity for Mary."

Are there some religious orders or communities that do require one to be a physical virgin? In some of the Poor Clare information I've read, there's such an emphasis on virginity that it seems one would have to be. Yet I don't think this is the case (even though they retain the Rite of Consecration in their vows, I think?).

Also, I just flipped on EWTN for a second and caught part of the homily. It was given by a Dominican, and he was speaking about marriage. He then started speaking about the spousal love of a vowed religious for God, and he exclusively used the word "virginity" instead of chastity. As in, he spoke of being called to "a life of virginity."

If consecrated virginity is [i]never[/i] a requirement for religious life, I don't understand why this term is used to refer to the chaste state of religious life. To me, there is an actual difference between virginity and chastity. Although I have run across a quote, I think by St. Bernard, that says something like, a long period of chastity is a second virginity... part of me says that confuses the definition of virginity. And our society really doesn't need to be confused about what constitutes sexual purity versus impurity.

So... why the use of "virginity" when it seems "chastity" would suffice? Is there an issue in translation? If it's meant to heighten chastity to a spiritual virginity, why not use the term "spiritual virginity"? Or how about using "celibacy"? I'm a convert, so did I miss something about the way the Church speaks of one's sexual past versus present/future?

If anyone could provide some insight into this, I would be grateful. I've always found it confusing, and I don't know who to bring these questions to.

And prayers for you, Shana, as you discern! I think Consecrated Virginity is an amazing vocation, and you would be such a witness in that life.
[/quote]

I totally understand where you are coming from and more or less share your confusion. I do think there needs to be some clarification on this point.

I looked at the FI website and I'm having a hard time finding where it says "consecrated virginity for Mary" so it's hard for me to ascertain what exactly they mean by that. Somehow I doubt that means actually recieving the rite. I do know there are some religious communities, such as some Benedictines, which give professed nuns the [i]option[/i] of recieving the rite (and the option of not recieving it if one is not a virgin and is therefore not eligible).

I'm not aware of any religious communities that require one to be a virgin. Perhaps there are a few out there that I am not aware of. If there are it of course isn't the norm. Perhaps back in the day, say in the early early Church, this may have been more common? I don't know.

I know what you mean by people using celibacy and virginity interchangably in a way that sort of blurs their distinction. I lent my consecrated virgin friend, Jenna, a CD with a talk that a nun friend of mine, Sr. Helena Burns, gave on celibacy where she seems to be using virginity and celibacy more or less interchangably. I wanted to talk to Jenna about this and see what her thoughts were. I'm thinking that it probably is valid for virginity to be used at times more loosely. I think Sr. Helena seemed to prefer the word virginity as opposed to celibicy because celibacy speaks of a lack where virginity has more of connotation of a fullness in God. Virginity more drives home the concept of totally God's body and soul, integrity and fullness. Though there definitely needs to be some more clarification about all this because oftentimes when I'm reading Catholic stuff and the word virginity comes up it's not always clear what is meant by that.

I have a suggestion. Why don't you make a comment on Jenna's post on viginity asking her just what you asked here. I think she'd have something very interesting to say on this topic and she would probably know which, if any, religious communities require literal virginity or what they mean by emphasising virginity or what they are getting at when they use that word.. Who knows, she may even write a blog post on it sometime! Or if you prefer you could shoot her an email, her address is on her blog, and say that Shana sent you and she'll get back to you sooner or later I'm sure. Next time I chat with her if I remember I'll bring this up seeing as how it's a topic I'm personally interested in as well and share anything that may help answer your question.

Edited February 11, 2011 by Shana

[Chamomile]

[quote name='Shana' timestamp='1297439066' post='2211346']
I have a suggestion. Why don't you make a comment on Jenna's post on viginity asking her just what you asked here. I think she'd have something very interesting to say on this topic and she would probably know which, if any, religious communities require literal virginity or what they mean by emphasising virginity or what they are getting at when they use that word.. Who knows, she may even write a blog post on it sometime! Or if you prefer you could shoot her an email, her address is on her blog, and say that Shana sent you and she'll get back to you sooner or later I'm sure. Next time I chat with her if I remember I'll bring this up seeing as how it's a topic I'm personally interested in as well and share anything that may help answer your question.
[/quote]

Good idea! Is Jenna the author of [url="http://sponsa-christi.blogspot.com/"]this blog[/url]?

[Shana]

[quote name='Chamomile' timestamp='1297440396' post='2211349']
Good idea! Is Jenna the author of [url="http://sponsa-christi.blogspot.com/"]this blog[/url]?
[/quote]

Yup, that would be the one!