Movie still from the 2007 Italian TV movie Clare and Francis, available from Ignatius Press or on Formed.com. I have pretty strong feelings about why this is the best movie about the saints of Assisi— maybe someday I'll write a review on my other blog, St. Catherine's Guide. One of the great privileges (and perks) … Continue reading St. Clare of Assisi: “Vergine vissi, vergine mori.”
On the Calendar: St. Augustine of Hippo
When I taught Medieval Literature, I used to read Books VI-VIII of St. Augustine's Confessions with my students. Each year, I posed this question: What prompts St. Augustine to finally convert— that is, to turn away from his former life and toward God? Answers varied: his unhappiness, the example of other educated men who became … Continue reading On the Calendar: St. Augustine of Hippo
The Spousal Love of Mary Magdalene
I originally wrote this reflection on July 22, 2016, when the Memorial of my Confirmation saint, Mary Magdalene, was elevated to a Feast. "Apostle of the Apostles" Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Of course she’s had a feast day for centuries, but until this year [2016], July 22 was … Continue reading The Spousal Love of Mary Magdalene
Tuesday Q&A: How many consecrated virgins are there in the world today?
Since consecrated virginity is unfamiliar to so many people, this is a pretty common question. In conversations about my vocation, I have heard many variations of the following: "There must not be very many consecrated virgins, because I've been Catholic for over sixty years, and you're the first one I've ever met!" It's true there … Continue reading Tuesday Q&A: How many consecrated virgins are there in the world today?
Tuesday Q&A: How is a consecrated virgin different from a religious sister?
I'll never forget a conversation I once had with my grandparents during my discernment. They were both lifelong Catholics, but they were struggling to grasp what it meant for me to be a consecrated virgin "living in the world." "Is that the same thing as being a nun?" Maw-Maw asked. Paw-Paw insisted that it wasn't … Continue reading Tuesday Q&A: How is a consecrated virgin different from a religious sister?
Tuesday Q&A: How did the vocation of consecrated virginity develop in the Church?
The first time I told my pastor that I believed God was calling me to be a consecrated virgin, he seemed uneasy. "You are choosing a very difficult vocation," he said. "If I encourage you to pursue it, I'll feel like I am throwing you to the wolves." He was concerned that my vocation might not … Continue reading Tuesday Q&A: How did the vocation of consecrated virginity develop in the Church?
What’s a consecrated virgin?
Never heard of a consecrated virgin living in the world? Most people haven't. I hadn't, either, until my junior year of college (2002), when I came to a "dead end" in my discernment and met a priest who unlocked the mystery of this little-known vocation. I had been exploring religious life for years, but I liked pretty … Continue reading What’s a consecrated virgin?
A Consecrated Virgin? 