• The Holy Eucharist • Self-denial/penance • Study of Scripture • Prayer • Works of mercy
The consecrated virgin does not need a plan of life, because she lives in the world. The consecrated virgin follows a schedule like anyone else. She needs to nurture her prayer and should spend daily time in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
The consecration has always been done by a bishop. There never was a maximum age and the minimum age has varied over time. There always was a probation time.
Some religious communities include consecration of virgins after profession (some Benedictines). In principle, a consecrated virgin could become a religious and a religious could be consecrated a virgin.
Notes from USACV Informational Conference Talk by Bishop Raymond L. Burke August 2003
Consecrated virginity is the oldest form of consecration.
All consecrated persons live the evangelical counsels, not all profess them. There are three uses of the term “consecration”: general, ordination (Sacramental), vows.
The Order of Virgins is an order in the sense of being a class of people, not in the sense of the religious order.
Signs of the consecration of a virgin is the veil and ring. The ring must be given. The ring is the symbol of two hearts. The veil signifies the totality of belonging to Christ. The virgin wears no habit because the habit signifies separation from the world. The veil is not a habit, but the virgin should not wear a veil, except during the consecration ceremony and perhaps at other significant times (e.g. anniversary of consecration).
The hermit’s vocation is to be separated from the world and he therefore wears a habit. The consecrated virgin’s vocation is to be in the world and she therefore wears no habit.
The hermit has a rule of life; the consecrated virgin does not.
The consecrated virgin uses no initials after her name because she does not belong to a community.
In a secular institute the consecration is hidden; for a consecrated virgin it is public. The virgin is consecrated during a public ceremony by the Bishop. The ring is a sign of her vocation.
By praying the Liturgy of the Hours, the consecrated virgin prays for the Church. The consecrated virgin offers some service to the Diocese, aside from her regular work (which can be anything consistent with the faith—from ballet teacher to CPA to lawyer, etc.). Prayer unites the virgin to the world. She serves the Church from the world and often/sometimes gives full-time service to the Church. She should also give some free service to the Church.
The consecrated virgin lives in the world and must provide for her own livelihood. Before her consecration, she must ascertain her plan for her temporal welfare. She follows Christ, but she does not vow poverty. The consecrated virgin does not cede the administration of her temporal goods (the hermit does).
The consecration of the virgin is definitive and the preparation must be under the care of a spiritual director to test the vocation. The consecrated virgin needs a spiritual director. Pride is the enemy/danger to consecrated virgins.
The spiritual life of the consecrated virgin should include: