The Order of Consecrated Virgins (OCV)

From early times, women have been consecrated to God by their Bishops. They maintained a life of prayer and the gift of themselves to others whilst living with their family.

After the development of the monastic life and the religious congregations, consecrated virgins lived parallel lives to nuns but they became more and more rare.

The liturgical reform opened again the possibility for women to live in the world from a promulgation of a revised ritual on 31st May 1970 and Canon Law 604 of the new Code of Canon Law. This ritual is counted amongst the most precious treasures of the Roman liturgy.

The Order of Consecrated Virgins does not have any founder or foundress other than the Church herself, which has been inspired by the mystery of Mary. This vocation is, before all, ecclesiastical.

The difference between this consecration and the religious orders is that the Order of Virgins does not have rules or a community structure. The consecrated virgins are recognised by the Rite of Canon Law the same as nuns, religious, hermits and members secular institutes. To these forms is added the Order of Virgins: they propose to follow Christ in a deep way. They are consecrated to God by the Bishop of the diocese, according to the rites of the approved liturgy. They are married mystically to Christ, the Son of God and dedicated to the service of the Church. They live in the world without being of the world.

Whilst living in the world, in her profession, in her family, the consecrated person announces by a public engagement, in perpetual celibacy, her desire to make her life a life lived according to the Gospel, in poverty and obedience to the Church.

The symbols of this commitment are the ring, a sign of faithfulness; the breviary, the Prayer of the Church; and the candle a sign that she is watching.

She has not got a ministry but is seen to be entrusted to a mission of prayer, of intercession and praise, finding her source in the Eucharist and listening to the Word of God. She participates in different engagements in society and in the Church.

In Britain today, there are about 300 consecrated virgins and more are becoming consecrated in other countries.