Additional Resources

Although there are not many books such as Espoused to Christ that are specific to consecrated virginity, there are other resources that are. Additionally, there are many books, Church documents, blogs, and websites that speak about consecrated life in a more general way. Below you’ll find suggested resources that may be helpful for you if you are looking to learn more about consecrated virginity, whether you’re a discerner, formator, spiritual director, or someone who is just curious! AND…if you have suggestions of things you think should be included here, complete the webform below and let me know what they are!

Helpful books and other publications

Books Specific to Consecrated Virginity

Expand to see books about consecrated virginity

Espoused to Christ: A Theology of Consecrated Virginity by Erin Kinsella (Sophia Press) (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada)

Ordo Virginum Volume 1: An Introduction to the Vocations of Consecrated Virginity Lived in the World by the USACV

Ordo Virginum Volume 2: Discernment and Formation for the Vocations of Consecrated Virginity Lived in the World by the USACV

Hermits and Consecrated Virgins, Ancient Vocations in the Contemporary Catholic Church: A Canonical-Pastoral Study of Canons 603 and 604 Individual Forms of Consecrated Life by consecrated virgin Christina Hip-Flores (see Christina Hip-Flores’ website to purchase the book, but also for helpful information on the Ordo Virginum)

“De Toutes les Nations une Unique Épouse: Ordo Virginum Charisme Ancien pour Femmes Nouvelles” (French document on consecrated virginity)

Le seigneur t’épousera : La virginité consacrée dans le siècle (Amazon Canada)

Christ in His Consecrated Virgins: The Marriage of the Lamb by Ludwig Munster (Amazon USA, Amazon Canada) (This work is a study of the old Roman Pontifical used for consecrating virgins, which is a precursor to the current Rite used and may be helpful for understanding some of the ancient symbolism of virginal consecration)

Books on Consecrated Life

Expand to see books about consecrated life

Virginity: A Positive Approach to Celibacy for the Sake of the Kingdom by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa (Amazon USA, Amazon Canada) ++An excellent book that assists greatly in understanding many aspects of the theology of virginity for the sake of the Kingdom++

See I Am Making Something New: New Institutes, Diocesan Hermits and Consecrated Virgins and New Forms of Consecrated Life by Amy Hereford, CSJ (Amazon USA, Amazon Canada) ++Contains information about multiple forms of consecrated life, including consecrated virginity++

The One Bride: The Church and Consecrated Virginity by Sr. Mary Jane Klimisch, OSB (Amazon USA, Amazon Canada) ++Sr. Mary Jane wrote this book in the time before the renewed Rite was available, so though it is specific to consecrated virginity, it is closely tied to the form available on to cloistered nuns that has been retained across Church history++

“And You are Christ’s…”: The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M. (Amazon USA, Amazon Canada) ++Discusses the charism of virginity in consecrated life in broad senses applicable to both men and women++

How We Love: A Formation for the Celibate Life by Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB (Amazon USA, Amazon Canada) ++Gives an excellent framework for healthy celibate sexuality and affectivity++

Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Brant Pitre (Amazon USA, Amazon Canada) ++Contains generally applicable but rich theology around Christ, the Bridegroom’s sacrifice, and the wedding of the Lamb with His Bride, the Church++

The Cantata of Love: A Verse by Verse Reading of The Song of Songs by Fr. Blaise Arminjon, SJ ++A beautiful exposition of the nuptiality of the Song of Songs++

Papal Writings and Dicastery Messages

Expand to see writings from Popes or the Dicastery

Rite of Consecration of a Virgin Living in the World

Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago: Instruction on the Ordo Virginum (Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life) ++This is the most current and comprehensive document from the Holy See on the Ordo Virginum and contains its history, theological foundations, norms for admittance and initial and ongoing formation, and canonical regulations++

Message of Pope Francis on the 50th Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Rite of the Consecration of Virgins

Starting Afresh from Christ: A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millennium (Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life) ++Though not specific to consecrated virginity alone, it contains a beautiful overview of consecrated life++

Vita Consecrata (Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Pope John Paul II) ++A beautiful exposition on the consecrated life by St. John Paul II; includes some sections addressing consecrated virginity specifically, and is widely applicable to all of consecrated life++

Redemptionis Donum: Consecration in the Light of the Mystery of the Redemption (John Paul II) ++Not specific to consecrated virginity, but generally applicable to consecrated life++

Evangelica Testificatio: On the Renewal of the Religious Life (Paul VI) ++Speaks of religious life in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, with exhortations regarding the renewal of its foundations for our time++

Perfectae Caritatis: Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life (Paul VI) ++Vatican II document on the renewal of religious life; though not specific to consecrated virginity, its contents are helpful for understanding the vision of consecrated life in our time++

Sacra Virginitas: Encyclical on Consecrated Virginity (Pope Pius XII) ++Speaks broadly of virginity and celibacy; was promulgated before the renewal of the Rite, so references to virginity are to be understood as a way of referencing consecrated life as a whole++

Websites

Expand to see websites with information about consecrated virginity

Ordo Virginum in Canada: Website of the newly formed Canadian Association. Includes info about the association and its activities (some open to consecrated virgins only and others open to others, such as those discerning the vocation). Also includes resources that may be helpful for discerners and formators as well as those already consecrated.

United States Association of Consecrated Virgins: The official website of the USACV. Includes information about the vocation and its discernment as well as interesting statistics regarding location and numbers of consecrated virgins around the world.

Consecratedvirginity.com: A comprehensive website giving information on the history of consecrated virginity, discernment, steps for formation, and more. It also includes a blog with vocation stories from consecrated virgins and a thorough FAQ section.

Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life: This is the dicastery responsible for the Ordo Virginum. The website includes some resources published by the dicastery and information on events and other initiatives it hosts.

Diocese of La Crosse: Contains a helpful assortment of information about consecrated virginity, reflections on consecrated virginity, stories of virgin Saints, and information about formation resources that can be ordered through the diocese.

Website of Bernadette Chen, a consecrated virgin from Auckland: Includes copious information about consecrated virginity, including talks from the 2008 Rome gathering, Canon Law, and more.

YouTube Channels, Videos and Podcasts

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Dawn Haussman’s YouTube Channel (Dawn is a consecrated virgin from Lansing, Michigan and shares on topics around consecrated virginity, consecrated life, and vocations in general)

Catholic Amanda’s YouTube Channel (Amanda Schrauth is a consecrated virgin from Great Falls-Billings who shares about her life, her vocation, and the Catholic Faith)

Wildflower Reunion podcast (Wildflower Reunion is a podcast of four consecrated virgins- Karen Ervin, Dawn Haussman, Simi Sahu and Hannah Vaughan-Spruce. They discuss many topics around consecrated virginity with humour and depth)

Endow Interview with consecrated virgin Carmen Briceño

Yes Catholic podcast episode with consecrated virgin Erin Kinsella

Behind the Veil interview with consecrated virgins Theresa and Victoria

Goretti Group interview with Deborah Sucich

Vocations Ministry interview with consecrated virgin Dawn Haussman

Renewal Ministries interview with consecrated virgin Karen Ervin

Jesus Youth webinar with consecrated virgins Dawn Haussman and Simi Sahu

Houston Vocations interview with consecrated virgin Cara

Archdiocese of Detroit video with consecrated virgin Michelle Piccolo

Openlight Media interview with consecrated virgin Dawn Haussman

Elizabeth Rizzo on her vocation to consecrated virginity

Diocese of Hamilton documentary on consecrated virginity