The
Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity reminds us in its suggested homily
about the connection between the vocation of virginity and the wonder of the
Incarnation:
“…When
the fullness of time had come, the almighty Father showed, in the mystery of
the incarnation, his love for this great virtue [of virginity]. In the chaste
womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word was
made flesh, in a marriage covenant uniting two natures, human and divine.”
With
each passing year, I’m coming to understand more and more how we consecrated
virgins should savor the Christmas season as an especially spiritually nourishing
time for us. The brief but beautiful Christmas season, from the Octave of
Christmas through the feast of the Epiphany, gives us the time and liturgical “space”
to envelope ourselves in the great truth of God’s spousal love for His people.
During
this time, I think it’s good for us to reflect on how consecrated virginity, although
it may seem fruitless in the eyes of the world (or even to our own eyes in some
of our more difficult moments), is truly meant to be a state wherein we are specially
blessed to encounter God in a privileged way, so that in us He can show forth
His love and presence to the world that longs for Him. The coming New Year
gives us a chance to resolve to embrace and live out the indescribable mystery
of this love ever more fully.
My
warmest Christmas greetings to all my sisters in Christ around the world!
