OVC - Resources

Resources

Resources for Formators

A number of formation programs have been developed in dioceses across Canada. Templates for formation and/or contact information to access formation materials are coming soon! If you are looking for immediate resources, please send us an email at ordovirginumcanada@gmail.com and we will reach out to you.

Books about Consecrated Virginity

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

This book examines the spiritual and ecclesial dimensions of consecrated virginity. Available in French.

Espoused to Christ: A Theology of Consecrated Virginity by Erin Kinsella

(Sophia Press) (Amazon Canada)

This book is an overarching view of various theological aspects of consecrated virginity and can be helpful for all those looking to better understand the vocation, Currently available in English.

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

This book, along with Volume 2, are a compilation of essays on various aspects of the Ordo Virginum by members of the US Association of Consecrated Virgins. Available in English.

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

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

This work examines consecrated virginity and hermits through the lens of Canon Law and is available for purchase through Christina Hip-Flores' website. Available in English.

Christ in His Consecrated Virgins: The Marriage of the Lamb by Ludwig Munster (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. Available in English.

Books about Consecrated Life

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. Available in English and French.

Virginity: A Positive Approach to Celibacy for the Sake of the Kingdom by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa (Amazon Canada)

An excellent book that assists greatly in understanding many aspects of the theology of virginity for the sake of the Kingdom. Available in English.

See I Am Making Something New: New Institutes, Diocesan Hermits and Consecrated Virgins and New Forms of Consecrated Life by Amy Hereford, CSJ (Amazon Canada)

Contains information about multiple forms of consecrated life, including consecrated virginity. Available in English.

The One Bride: The Church and Consecrated Virginity by Sr. Mary Jane Klimisch, OSB (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 to cloistered nuns that has been retained across Church history. Available in English.

"And You are Christ’s...”: The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M. (Amazon Canada)

Discusses the charism of virginity in consecrated life in broad senses applicable to both men and women. Available in English.

How We Love: A Formation for the Celibate Life by Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB (Amazon Canada)

Gives an excellent framework for healthy celibate sexuality and affectivity. Available in English.

Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Brant Pitre (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. Available in English.

Papal and Dicastery Documents

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. Available in English and French.

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. Available in English and French.

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. Available in English and French.

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. Available in English and French.

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. Available in English and French.

"De Toutes les Nations une Unique Épouse: Ordo Virginum Charisme Ancien pour Femmes Nouvelles"

This document is a compilation of essays compiled by the Vatican to shed light on various aspects of consecrated virginity. Available in French.

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. Available on the Vatican website in English.

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. Available on the Vatican website in English.

Websites

Websites are not separated by language; translation functions are available through web browsers.

Espoused to Christ: Website for the book Espoused to Christ- A Theology of Consecrated Virginity. Includes many links to resources.

Website of the Ordo Virginum in France: The official website of the French association of consecrated virgins. Contains a good deal of helpful information and resources.

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.

Christina Hip-Flores' website: Christina is a consecrated virgin and Canon lawyer who provides information on the vocation, especially through the lens of Canon Law.

Video and Audio Resources

FRENCH RESOURCES:

Femmes consacrées, pour l'amour du Christ

Laurence Decugnière, Vierge consacrée

Rencontre avec Stéphanie en vue de sa consécration dans l'ordre Virginum

Vierges consacrées- liste de lecture

ENGLISH RESOURCES:

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