The Consecration of Marion Morgan

The Feast of St Ignatius, 31st July, was a very special day for me this year as, during the evening Mass at St Mary-on-the-Quay, I was consecrated by Bishop Declan. This makes me a member of the Order of Consecrated Virgins.

I first made private vows to a priest in 1974, although the very private commitment in prayer was 5 years earlier. Now, 40 years later, I was able to renew this commitment publicly in a way which is recognised formally by the Church.

It is like the profession of a religious sister, except that the religious community to which she is committed is the parish and the Diocese.

And it is the friendship and the support of the parish and the Diocese that is one of my abiding memories. I felt supported by prayer throughout my preparation, and particularly during the final weeks. The warmth and kindness of everyone who asked me about it was very moving.

Neighbouring priests came to concelebrate. Our own priests were all there and consistently helpful and supportive. And the other members of the congregation prepared enthusiastically by having choir practices, by seeing the church was clean (not an easy task as we had the electricians in working that week and the dust got everywhere!); and last but not least, preparing a magnificent bring-and-share feast for everyone afterwards. The flowers were special and our MC made sure that the Liturgy ran smoothly.

This occasion was, for me, not just an experience of the great love of God: it was also a very real experience of the active and prayerful love of the community of the church.

A very heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to everyone involved, from

Sr. Marion Morgan OCV (but please, still call me Marion!)

In the early church it gradually became customary for young girls (12 to 15 years) to dedicate themselves to the Church as Virgins. In later centuries, they drew together and became religious orders. After Vat. II, the original Order of Virgins (and the order of Widows) were reintroduced into the Church.

There are currently about 10 Consecrated Virgins (usually know as Consecrated Women) in this Diocese, and about 200 in the UK.