Season 3 concludes with the climax of the rite of consecration - the Bishop’s consecratory prayer - as the woman is consecrated to Jesus Christ.

Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about the theology of the prayer of consecration, what it brings about in the soul of the woman consecrated, and how it differs from religious profession. They discuss certain parts of this significant and ancient prayer that have held most meaning for them in their consecrated lives.

Join us in September for Season 4!

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Lying prostrate on the floor of the sanctuary. The Church singing the litany of the saints over you.

What is that experience like as a woman being consecrated to Christ?

In this episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about the experience of prostration in the rite of consecration.

They talk about how they spiritually prepared for such a moment of self-surrender, how they chose extra saints to be included in the litany… and even the practicalities of prostrating on the sanctuary.

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“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.”

With these words, the woman to be consecrated gives her firm and definite resolve to lay down her life completely for Christ and his Church.

Can a person ever be ready to make such a solemn resolution? Is such a resolution a flight from relationship? Does it require a superhuman force? In this Easter episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about placing their hands into their Bishop’s and making this resolution.

“Celibacy is … presented as a free choice that takes place in the relational space that is the body. With this choice the person responds to the God of love who calls and reveals himself in the face of Christ. This is not a flight from relationship, nor is it the fruit of superhuman force, but a gift that belongs to the dynamism of the transfiguration of relationality that distinguishes the style begun by Jesus: evangelical fraternity, the basis of reconciled humanity and the foundation of koinonía on which the life of the Church is based.” Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 15

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What does it feel like to resolve to “persevere to the end of your days in the holy state of virginity”? And to “accept solemn consecration as a bride of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God”?

These are two of the three questions to which a virgin gives her free consent during the Bishop’s examination leading up to the rite of her consecration.

In this Holy Week episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about their experiences of giving their free consent to their Bishops.

“The charism of virginity, accepted by the woman and confirmed by the Church through consecration, is a gift that derives from the Father, by means of the Son, in the Spirit.”

Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 23

The four wildflowers also discuss the graces they have received during Lent.

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What does it mean to receive the Liturgy of the Hours as a duty and an obligation? Is there a risk of it becoming a burden, lessening the personal nature of prayer?

Karen, Hannah, Dawn and Simi share about the experience of taking on the responsibility of praying the Divine Office.

They talk about how they schedule it into their days, what they do on unexpectedly chaotic days, and how they balance it with silent, contemplative prayer.

“Celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours, in particular Morning and Evening Prayer, [consecrated virgins] let the sentiments of Christ echo through them, absorbing them. They unite their voices to those of the entire Church, presenting to the Father the often unconscious cries of joy and sorrow that rise from humanity and from the whole of creation.” Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 34

The four wildflowers also share the most fruitful fast they have undertaken.

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How does the consecrated virgin experience receiving the Liturgy of the Hours at her consecration as a gift? Karen, Hannah, Dawn and Simi talk about their experiences of receiving the breviary from the hands of their bishops, with their promise to, “Pray without ceasing for the salvation of the whole world.”

"The Mass is the ‘jewel’ that Christ has given to his Spouse, the Church; the Liturgy of the Hours reflects and extends its beauty through the hours of the day” (Fr Timothy Gallagher)

The four wildflowers also share the spiritual commitments they have taken up for Lent.

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Isn’t it outdated for a woman to cover her head during worship? Why is veiling part of the consecration rite?

In this episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn discuss the rich scriptural and theological significance of the second insignia of the consecration rite: the veil.

Unlike ordinary marriage, a consecrated virgin enters the church unveiled but, during the ceremony, is veiled by her Bishop as a sign of her protection and concealment by Christ her Spouse.

Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about their own experiences of receiving the veil and what this has meant to them spiritually in their consecrated lives.

Scripture for this episode:

“My heart overflows with noble words.

To the king I must speak the song I have made,

my tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe.

You are the fairest of the children of men

and graciousness is poured upon your lips:

because God has blessed you for evermore.

… Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words:

forget your own people and your father’s house.

So will the king desire your beauty:

He is your Lord, pay homage to him.”

Psalm 45:1-2, 10-11

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How can an ordinary woman be “mystically espoused” to Jesus Christ? Season 3 will discuss elements in the Rite of Consecration.

In this episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn discuss the first of the insignia of the Rite: the ring.

What does the ring mean as a tangible sign of a consecrated virgin’s mystical espousal and covenant with Christ? What is it like to wear the ring for the first time? And how do we choose our rings?

Scripture for this episode:

“You shall no more be termed Forsaken,

and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;

but you shall be called My delight is in her,

and your land Married;

for the Lord delights in you,

and your land shall be married.

For as a young man marries a virgin,

so shall your sons marry you,

and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,

so shall your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62: 4 - 5