Towards the end of Sacrosanctum Concilium, there is a simple, solo statement which states the rite of the consecration of virgins found in the Pontifical be revised. This unassuming kernel led to the rebirth of the Ordo virginum.
The Ordo virginum, sometimes known as the Order of Consecrated Virgins, refers to the liturgical rite which virgins are consecrated to God. As such, it is different to religious orders.
The Ordo is from the second century with the emergence of the virgin martyrs. The earliest known rite is from the fourth century. In the tenth century, Roman liturgists used a revised rite for virgins in convents only. This excluded the use of the rite for virgins living independently.
In the 1920s, bishops started consecrating virgins living in the world. They used the then-current Tridentine Pontifical. One woman consecrated was Anne Leflaive. In 1927, this was restricted to virgins in enclosed monasteries.
Interest in the Ordo grew. Throughout the 1930s to 1950s, bishops in Europe started to preach on consecrated virginity. This culminated in Sponsae Christi (1950) by Pope Pius XII.
One theme of Vatican II in the 1960s was to return to the origins of the Church which included the rediscovery of the ancient rite of the consecration of virgins. This partially led to the inclusion of consecrated virginity in Sacrosanctum Concilium.
The other reason for its inclusion may be through the work of Anne Leflaive. Throughout the 1940s to 1960s, she lobbied Angelo Roncalli, (Pope John XXIII) Giovanni Montini (Pope Paul VI) and Pope Pius XII. In 2016, at the Conference of Consecrated Life, work on her cause for sainthood had begun.
The revision of the rite began in 1966 along with the revision of the rite of holy orders. In 1970, Pope Paul VI promulgated the Rite of Consecration of Virgins for women living in the world. Other supporting documents followed including Canon 604 in Code of Canon Law and the Ecclesiae Sponae Imago 2018.
The support from the Vatican is immense, from Pope Paul VI to Pope Francis and the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. In 2016, at the Conference for Consecrated Life there were around 500 members of the Ordo virginum involved in every aspect of the Conference.
The renewed interest in the Ordo viriginum coincided with the theme to review the ancient liturgies of the Church. The Holy Spirit has influenced the two coming together.
Today, called by the Holy Spirit, there are over 5000 consecrated virgins living in the world including nine in Australia. Countries like Argentina are celebrating over 50 years since the first consecration after Vatican II, three years after the promulgation of the rite. A simple statement at the end of a Vatican II document was all that was needed to give new life to an ancient vocation.
In this, we give thanks to the authors of the Sacrosanctum Concilium, Anne Leflaive and the bishops, future popes now saints who listened to her and we pray for her cause to sainthood. We give thanks to those who support the vocation. And lastly, we pray for the Ordo virginum around the world who have answered the call to the most ancient form of consecrated life.
Zara Tai OCV is a member of the Ordo virginum in the Diocese of Parramatta.
