Minh's Private Perpetual Vow of Chastity
as a Consecrated Virgin
Rev. Father John Eudes' homily

January 1, 2008 "Making a private perpetual vow of chastity and consecrating themselves to God while living in the world were first introduced by the consecrated virgins of the Primitive Church. They were taught and guided by their spiritual fathers (St. Jerome was one of them) while continuing to live in the world, often in their family home while following a personal lifestyle. This practice was already acknowledged and honored in the primitive Church; its roots are in the Gospels and its practice attested to in a rather vague manner in the Acts of the Apostles. By the time of St. Justin about the year 135 A.D., it was a part of the life and witness of the early Church. With time, individuals who were called to follow Christ most closely began to live in informal communities; soon after this development, monastic Rules were written. The Church as a whole and in the person of certain bishops recognized the need for a more organized way of life and gave it public and formal recognition. This development, however, did not suppress the practice of making private vows by those who, for one reason or another preferred a more unstructured commitment.

Today, while a relatively small number of virgins are publicly recognized by the Church under Canon law and have been consecrated and live under the authority of their Bishops (they belong to the Order of the Consecrated Virgins), other men and women may Consecrate themselves to God privately. This private vow of chastity has no canonical consequences, but takes on only a personal obligation, binding in conscience and resulting in a more explicit and intimate attachment binding one with God, even though there are no obligations in the public forum.

Under Rev. Father John Eudes Bamberger's guidance and teaching, Minh has been making her temporary vow of chastity one year at a time and learning how to live it for almost ten years. Sustained by God's loving mercy, she lives under the law of love, the Holy Spirit.

On this occasion she will pronounce the private vow of chastity and will live as a consecrated virgin for life. As friends, you are invited to celebrate and thank God with her today on the solemnity of God's Mother who has helped her, given her the spiritual support and reassured her of his calling.

May the Bridegroom of our souls be our every happiness, peace and strength as we continue on seeking and loving him. Amen. O Holy Mother of God, pray of us."