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Consecrated virgins living in the world

Ashleigh Buyers | Catholic Herald

Marielisa Puigbó covers a cake in fondant icing for a customer.

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Marielisa Puigbó’s father light’s her oil lamp during the Rite of Consecrated Virgins in Venezuela

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Marielisa Puigbó lays prostrate during the Rite of Consecrated Virgins in Venezuela

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Marielisa Puigbó decorates cakes for weddings, baptisms birthdays and other special occasions to support herself and her ministry as a consecrated virgin.

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Marielisa Puigbó presses into the Cathedral holding an oil lamp during her Rite of Consecration in her diocese in Venezuela.

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Marielisa Puigbó kneels in front of a bishop during the Rite of Consecrated Virgins in Venezuela

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Carmen Briceño works on her computer at the office of youth ministry at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas.

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Carmen Briceño leads a reflection during adoration at All Saints Catholic church in Manassas.

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Carmen Briceño leads a reflection during adoration at All Saints Catholic church in Manassas.

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Marielisa Puigbó leads a marriage prep class for members of the Spanish speaking community in Manassas park.

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The Rite of Consecrated Virginity is the newest rite in the
Arlington Diocese, but it is by no means new to the Catholic
Church. It is the church’s most ancient rite for women, one
chosen by St. Agnes, and St. Lucy, among others. They offered
up their virginity and ultimately their lives for the service
of God, their Divine Spouse.

The rise of religious orders caused the ancient practice to
drift out of view until the Second Vatican Council. On May
31,1970, the Congregation of Divine Worship recognized the
value of consecrated virginity to the church and published
the Rite of Consecration of Virgins Living in the World. It
was recognized formally by the council and is explained in
Canon 604 of the 1982 Code of Canon Law. The ultimate
decision to adopt the rite was left up to each diocese’s
bishop who is the virgin’s sole superior in the church.

Because consecrated virgins do not wear habits, many in the
diocese are not aware of these women ministering in their
communities. Marielisa Puigbó and Carmen
Briceño are two such women living out this vocation in
the diocese. Originally from Venezuela, both separately
discerned the religious life, but could not find the right
fit.

“I totally wanted to give everything to God,” said
Puigbó. “I fell in love with the way (the consecrated
virgins) give their freedom to God.” After Puigbó was
consecrated by her bishop in Venezuela, she left her country
and joined her brother, Father Juan A. Puigbó, in the
United States.

Like any vocation, the life of a consecrated virgin presents
its own challenges. Since they are not a religious order and
do not take vows the women are not entitled to financial
support by the church. Many consecrated virgins have regular
jobs, such as Briceño who works in the youth ministry
office of All Saints Church in Manassas. Puigbó,
however, made the decision a few years ago to quit her parish
position and give half her day completely to God in prayer.
This required her to find another source of income.

“God had given me a lot of gifts with my hands,” said
Puigbó. “I make cakes, rosaries and recycle candles so
I can fundraise for my daily expenses. As part of her
ministry Puigbó helps the immigrant community in the
diocese by leading marriage prep class and family counseling
sessions through the Vocare Foundation in Manassas.

In 2014, Bishop Paul S. Loverde ask Father Joel D. Jaffe,
director of vocations, to look into the rite of consecrated
virgins after a number of women expressed interest in the
vocation. After a year of research, preparation and
ultimately prayer, Bishop Loverde formally adopted the rite
last February, just in time for the Year of Consecrated Life.

While women in the diocese now have the opportunity to enter
into this vocation, Father Jaffe, Puigbó and
Briceño encourage women to first look into a variety
of religious orders. Unlike a religious vow that can be
dispensed, one cannot “undo” this form of consecration
because it is modeled upon the bond Christ has with His
church, according to a vocations office information packet.

According to Father Jaffe, the church does not actively
promote consecrated virginity but welcomes and assists those
who feel called to this way of life. Those like
Briceño, who have taken that final step in this
vocation, feel very fulfilled in the path they have chosen.

“It’s exciting to be open to the Holy Spirit and living this
real relationship with Christ with its highs and its lows but
with permanent fidelity and promise that one day what I’m
living now I will actually live to the fullest face to face
(in heaven),” said Briceño.

For more information on consecrated virgins please contact
the
Office of Vocations
.

Buyers can be
reached at [email protected].

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