Plan of God and Resolution of a virgin

When I started this blog, my intention was to  search  for the Truth about the Identity and Mission of the  Order of Consecrated Virgins in today's Church and world.

In this process, I developed a theology of the vocation of consecrated virginity, not focusing on the Rite of Consecration to a life of Virginity as a  ‘sacramental’(noun) but on its ‘sacramentality.’ This Rite is not among the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.

I also developed an understanding of the prayer of consecration,  necessary elements for its validity, degrees of effective quality of the seal of consecration, or ‘sacramental’ character and design of the seal  impressed on the virgin. Read my post  here-it's important  for details.

A very important question regarding the DESIGN of the seal of consecration comes to my mind because it is central to the vocation. The most authoritative sources to understand it are 

• the vocation in the history of the Early Church,
• the Rite of Consecration to a life of Virginity present in the Roman Pontifical, and 
• canon 604 in the latest Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church after Vatican II.

Early Church History does lay emphasis on the Sequela Christi or Following of Christ. This was a general obligation of every disciple of Christ through baptism. Consecrated life demands a special form of  following Him. In some other post, I shall write in depth about this Sequela Christi specifically  for the vocation of consecrated virgins.

The Rite of Consecration to a life of Virginity  mentions about the plan of God and the resolution to follow Christ, at significant moments:

• through the antiphons, e.g., ‘Now with all our hearts we follow you,’
• the suggested homily, ’ Let your light then shine before men and women, that your Father in heaven may be glorified, and his plan of making all things one in Christ come to perfection,’ and  ‘you will sing a new song as you follow the Lamb of God wherever he leads you.’
• the examination by the bishop, 'Are you so resolved to follow Christ in the spirit of the Gospel that your whole life may be a faithful witness to God’s love and a convincing sign of the kingdom of heaven?’
• the renewal of intention,’ Father, receive my resolution to follow Christ in a life of perfect chastity which, with God’s help, I here profess before you and God’s holy people.’
• the prayer of consecration,’ Lord, look with favor an your handmaids. They place in your hands their resolve to live in chastity.’

Canon 604 §1 and §2  mentions about the resolution to follow Christ:

Can. 604 § 1.  Hisce vitae consecratae formis accedit ordo virginum quae, sanctum
propositum emittentes Christum pressius sequendi, ab Episcopo dioecesano iuxte probatum
ritum liturgicum Deo consecrantur, Christo Dei Filio mystice desponsantur et Ecclesiae
servitio dedicantur.
§ 2.  Ad suum propositum fidelius servandum et ad servitium Ecclesiae, proprio statui
consonum, mutuo adiutorio perficiendum, virgines consociari possunt.

As mentioned in the Latin version above, the term used  for resolution is propositum which can be translated as PLAN, PROJECT, PURPOSE, DESIGN, THEME OF DISCOURSE, AIM, THESIS, etc. 

Canon 604 in English:

§1. Similar to these forms of consecrated life is the order of virgins, who, committed to the holy plan of following Christ more closely, are consecrated to God by the diocesan bishop according to the approved liturgical rite, are betrothed mystically to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the service of the Church.
§2. In order to observe their commitment more faithfully and to perform by mutual support service to the Church which is in harmony with their state these virgins can form themselves into associations.

The virgin renews her intention or  propositum  which she has been living for sometime  before it is publicly consecrated in the ceremony.

WHAT IS THIS PLAN OF  GOD IN THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST, OR THE DESIGN OF THE PERMANENT SEAL OF CONSECRATION, WHICH THE VIRGIN IS COMMITTED TO LIVE FOR HER ENTIRE LIFE ? 

IT IS VIRGINITY FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, WHICH IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN EVERYTHING IN HEAVEN AND EARTH IS UNITED IN CHRIST. THE CONSECRATED VIRGIN IS CALLED TO BE AN IMAGE OF THIS REALITY THROUGH HER ESPOUSAL WITH CHRIST.

10 Even the heavenly forces and powers will now discover through the Church the wisdom of God in its manifold expression, as the plan is being fulfilled

11 which God designed from the beginning in Christ Jesus, our Lord.[ Eph 3:10-11]

See also  Eph 1: 9,13 ; 5: 31-32

The virgin is consecrated to God for the fulfilment of His plan to unite all things in Christ. Her mystical espousal to Christ and her service of the Church, should manifest this mystery of virginity for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.

More on the Plan of God in the Following of Christ in the vocation of a consecrated virgin  in another post.