The guests arrived for Elizabeth’s wedding day.   Friends, family, and co-workers were there to help her celebrate the biggest decision she would ever make.  Elizabeth walked down the aisle to find her Bishop standing there.  She could see no groom.  This was just as she had planned it.  Elizabeth was not committing herself to just any man.  She was to be a bride of Christ.  Elizabeth is not a nun; rather she lives the life of a Consecrated Virgin.

It seems entirely counter-cultural, even to the Catholic culture, to commit yourself to virginity without taking a vow to a religious community or to plan to someday get married and offer your virginity as a gift.  However, prior to the foundation of religious orders for women, there were consecrated virgins. In fact St. Matthew of the Gospel wrote a portion of the rite of consecration. 

Women in the early centuries of the Church committed their lives to Christ as they continued to live in the world.  In the 4^th century, Christian virgins became more numerous and began to associate among themselves in community.  By the 9^th century two distinct Rites come into existence, those who lived in the world and those who lived in monasteries.  Saints Agnes, Rose of Lima, and Catherine of Siena were three well-known Consecrated Virgins.  During the latter Middle Ages, Consecrated Virgins came to exist primarily in the convent settings, mostly in the Benedictine Order, and they were few in number. The Rite of the Order of Virgin was restored in 1970 and this church vocation is now flourishing. 

Elizabeth felt called to serve God but was unsure of how to live out that calling.  She went through years of discernment.  She joined the 3^rd order of the Franciscans (an order for lay men and women, married or single).  She also visited many religious communities; never feeling that any were quite right for her.  She finally came across an order which seemed interesting but not perfect.  Elizabeth seriously considered joining the order and becoming a nun, however, she did not feel the calling to live in community.  It was then that her spiritual director mentioned Consecrated Virginity.  Elizabeth investigated the vocation and continued discernment.  She fell in love with the vocation, received the Bishop’s approval to be consecrated as a virgin, and made plans toward this life long commitment. 

Pope John Paul II said about Consecrated Virginity that the vocation is important because it is lived out in the world and that it is a sign of the church’s virginity.  Elizabeth lives in the world as a Certified Dental Assistant.  She prays throughout her day for those she works with and makes each action a prayer.  Her co-workers know of her vocation.  Her boss is supportive of her and allows her a flexible schedule to do volunteer work for the Church.   It seems that God has arranged for Elizabeth to do what she is called to do. 

Elizabeth gives her whole self to the church and the diocese.  She works closely with the priests of her diocese, sharing spiritually with them on many levels.  Elizabeth also shares her life with her patients and co-workers.  Although she is not always understood in her vocation, she finds many patients are intrigued when they learn about the life of a consecrated virgin. 

When an elderly patient’s wife died, he turned to Elizabeth for spiritual help and consolation.  He was quite distraught and had many questions he was unable to answer as he was an atheist.  Elizabeth and the gentleman spent some time together in discussion.  Elizabeth felt the man, who had been orphaned, was very angry with God.  Eventually, he passed away.  But Elizabeth witnessed his faith beginning to grow prior to his death. 

Elizabeth also lectors at her parish, leads prayer groups, speaks at and organizes retreats, speaks publicly, and is a spiritual counselor.  She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  Of all her responsibilities, Elizabeth’s first love is her private prayer time.  Elizabeth says this is a “call to intimacy with our spouse.”  She wakes at 5 each morning to spend an hour in prayer which is followed by breakfast and Mass.  Prayer continues throughout the day including the Rosary during her lunch break, liturgy of the hours, and evening prayers.  Elizabeth says of Jesus, “He’s my best friend.”

It is easy to see why God has called Elizabeth to this very special vocation.  She is warm-hearted, intelligent, and joyful about her work.  She truly loves Christ in a way that is rare.  Elizabeth is a wonderful inspiration to all those trying to live a holy life.