About the Congress-Pilgrimage

From the International Planning Committee

The International Congress-Pilgrimage for consecrated virgins took place in Rome from May 14 to May 20, 2008 on the theme: Consecrated Virginity Lived in the World : "A Gift for the Church and in the Church" (Cardinal Ratzinger).

The historic pilgrimage to Rome in May 1995 gathered, for the first time, consecrated virgins of all countries in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the restoration of our rite of consecration by the Second Vatican Council. This occasion allowed 330 consecrated virgins to meet Pope John Paul II and to begin to explore together the universal dimension of our vocation.

We hope to continue meeting together globally to widen and enrich our theological reflections and our prayer. On this occasion, we had the joy of meeting and praying with our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.

These are the conference topics which were presented during the congress:

1. Historical aspects of the Consecration of Virgins and the re-birth of the vocation in the 20th century, Fr. Marcel Metzger (France)
2. Christian Virginity: Trinitarian, Christological, Marian, and Ecclesial dimensions, Bishop Demetrio Gonzalez (Spain)
3. Virgin of the Church, Ysabel de Andia (consecrated virgin of France)
4. Liturgical presentation, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke (USA)
5. Spiritual fruitfulness of the consecrated virgin (consecrated virgin of Argentina)
6. The virginal vocation and the baptismal vocation, Archbishop Jean-Pierre Cattenoz (France)
7. The consecrated virgin belongs to the Church and is present in the world, Elena Bolchi (consecrated virgin of Italy)
8. Spousal love in the mystical doctrines of St. John of the Cross, Gloria Irène Alvaro Sanz (consecrated virgin of Spain)
9. The eschatological dimension of our vocation: " The Spirit and the Bride say come! ", Franc Cardinal Rodé (Prefect of the Congregation for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life)

The congress part of our gathering ended with a round-table discussion on the theme: "The place and the life of the consecrated virgin in the local Church and her relationship with the Bishop". Three Bishops and three consecrated virgins of different continents participated in this round-table discussion. After the congress ended, the pilgrimage part of our days together began. Our accommodations in Roma were near the “Cornelia” metro station.

You can now order printed copies of the proceedings.

Judith Stegman (USA) & Yolande Salmon (France)

For more information, contact Yolande Salmon