by Therese Ivers, JCL

In one of the states of the US that I grew up in, there is a convent.  In that convent are women dressed in habits.  They make vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience… and they live austerely.  They claim to belong to an ancient and revered Order.  But, they are not nuns, and they are not sisters.  As a matter of fact, they are lay women who masquerade as Roman Catholic religious.  In a word, they are frauds.

There is an international group that passes themselves off as a budding religious community.  Married individuals may join this so-called religious community.  People who are married and think they need to somehow become religious in order to become holy and wear a habit are often referred to join this group.  The website of this group has what purports to be “encouragement” from the Vatican.  The way this group is set up,

Table of contents for Congress Pilgrimage 2008 Rome

1. International Congress Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins Rome 2008 Day 1
2. International Congress Pilgrimage of Virgins Rome 2008 Part II
3. International Congress Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins, Rome Day III
4. Consecrated Virgins International Congress Mass Days IV and V
5. February 2: World Day for Consecrated Life

Today, the schedule for the congress was quite busy. The day was kicked off with a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica celebrated by Cardinal Rode, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Concelebrating with His Eminence were 8 other (arch)bishops, including Archbishop Burke from St. Louis Missouri. Immediately after the Mass, the 500 consecrated virgins were received in private audience by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.

His Holiness addressed the 500 virgins,  cardinal, and bishops, and virgins representing 52 countries from around the world. Among the virgins attending were some from Iraq, Iran, Tunisia, the Jordan, and Finland.

Excellent presentations were made by two French speakers, one of them being a great liturgist from France, Rev. Marcel Metzger, and a consecrated virgin from France, Ysabel de Andia. Another presentation on consecrated virginity was presented by Bishop Demetrio Gonzalez, Bishop of Tarazona (Spain) in Spanish. Simultaneous translations were made in the major languages of French, Italian, English, Spanish, and German.

Table of contents for Congress Pilgrimage 2008 Rome

1. International Congress Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins Rome 2008 Day 1
2. International Congress Pilgrimage of Virgins Rome 2008 Part II
3. International Congress Pilgrimage of Consecrated Virgins, Rome Day III
4. Consecrated Virgins International Congress Mass Days IV and V
5. February 2: World Day for Consecrated Life

Today was the first day of the International Congress Pilgrimage of the Consecrated Virgins held in Rome. After registration, almost 500 consecrated virgins from 52 countries gathered for Vespers and Mass celebrated by an Archbishop of France and half a dozen other (arch)bishops and a couple dozen priests. While most of the consecrated virgins are those living in the world, also attending were certain religious who have received the consecration at the hands of their bishop. In addition, some hermitesses who are also consecrated virgins were in attendence.

Archbishop Raymond Burke and a panel of consecrated virgins from Germany, Italy, Spain, the USA, and France presided at the first series of presentations by consecrated virgins on the status of the vocation in their countries of Italy, Austria, Germany, Argentina, Finland, and Hungary. According to the reports thus far, the median age began fairly high as the Rite was re-instated only 30 years ago after about ten centuries of most disuse. However, the median age is rapidly dropping.  Many virgins are receiving the consecration now at the average age of 35 years.

Tomorrow, the international pilgrimage congress group of consecrated virgins will be honored by a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI. More on that later… and pictures to follow.