Who are consecrated virgins?

Who are consecrated virgins?


Following are educated estimates of the current number of consecrated virgins in various countries of the world, based upon information compiled in preparation for the Rome 2008 International Congress of Consecrated Virgins. The Vatican's Annuario Pontifico, which ordinarily catalogs ecclesiastical statistics, does not yet track the vocation of consecrated virginity lived in the world.


In the world: approximately 3,000 consecrated virgins in at least 42 countries, including:
Argentina ~320
Canada ~ 40
Columbia ~ 15
Mexico ~145
United States ~215
India ~ 55
Germany ~150
Belgium ~ 35
Spain ~190
France ~570
Great Britain ~
60 Italy ~510
Poland ~ 20
Switzerland ~ 20
Czech Republic ~ 50


Updated numbers may be submitted to info@consecratedvirgins.org


Occupations and professions
In the United States, consecrated virgins today include teachers, social workers, business women, librarians, accountants, nurses, physicians, a fire fighter, women employed in a variety of Church positions, a dance teacher, psychologists, retired women, disabled women, women dedicated to prayer or devoted to the care of a family member, those dedicated to volunteer work, as well as other professions. It is a diverse group!


Spirituality
Overarching this diversity, consecrated virgins naturally hold much in common with one another. Our common spirituality is that of living as a bride of Christ, the spirituality of the Church herself, and of our Blessed Mother. Some members also follow a preferred Franciscan, Dominican, Benedictine, Carmelite or Ignation spirituality. We long for times of Eucharistic adoration, we hold heartfelt love for th Church, we find joy in supporting our Bishops and priests, we delight in the Sacraments, and we long for the life to come when we shall see our Bridegroom face to face. (The Companion Discernment Guide to Consecrated Virgins in Today's Church, pg 10.)



    Each of the following U.S. dioceses are known to have or have had one or more women consecrated as virgins living in the world:


    Alabama: Mobile
    Arkansas: Little Rock
    California: Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland
    Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo
    Connecticut: Bridgeport, Hartford
    Florida: Miami, Palm Beach, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg
    Georgia: Savannah
    Hawaii: Honolulu
    Iowa: Davenport
    Illinois: Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield
    Indiana: Fort Wayne-south Bend, Indianapolis, Lafayette
    Kentucky: Covington
    Louisiana: Alexandria
    Massachusetts: Boston, Fall River, Springfield, Worcester
    Maryland: Washington, DC
    Maine: Portland
    Michigan: Grand Rapids, Lansing
    Minnesota: St. Paul and Minneapolis
    Missouri: Jefferson City, Kansas City-St. Joseph, St. Louis
    North Dakota: Bismark, Fargo
    Nebraska: Omaha
    New Jersey: Metuchen, Newark, Paterson, Trenton
    New Mexico: Santa Fe
    New York: Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, New York City, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Center
    Ohio: Cleveland, Columbus, Steubenville, Toledo, Youngstown
    Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
    Oregon: Portland
    Pennsylvania: Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Scranton
    Rhode Island: Providence
    South Dakota: Rapid City, Sioux Falls
    Texas: Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, Fort Worth, Galveston-Houston
    Virginia: Richmond
    Washington: Seattle, Spokane, Yakima
    Wisconsin: Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee
    West Virginia: Wheeling-Charleston