Regrettably I am unable to take The Tablet on a regular basis but do have the benefit of picking up back issues from those who kindly leave copies in the porch of my parish church. Receipt of the issue of 5 May, despite outdated, was most welcome from this source; it held the article “Sisters of the Internet Age” which, as an OCV, was of particularly interest to me.
Katherine Backer’s article covered a broad spectrum of up to date movement of those pursuing a religious life. By doing so she not only acknowledged the inherent hope of belief held by the Church in a life of faith but also countered the traditional stereotype so often incorrectly found in the press, which is often ill informed on such matters. There was however, one important area of pursuit she left uncovered, whilst mentioning the increasing interest in routes taken by lay members as oblates, associates and the like.
The Order of Consecrated Virgins (OCVs) was formally reconstituted by the Church in the early 1970s. Essentially, the life of an OCV existed well before any of the now well established orders came into being. In essence, consecrated women remained living at home serving the community in a variety of ways according to their particular gifts.
There are now approximately 180 such “vowed religious” committed in the same way today in Britain; I do not have to hand the number worldwide. Additionally, in more recent years widows have also been embraced into the same fraternity of which there are now around 20. An OCV is self-supporting, takes traditional vows and is answerable to her Bishop. Several keep in contact with each other; there is an annual retreat that they may choose to attend; several gather regionally on a periodic basis. Others live a more hermit-like style of life given over to prayer.
Admittedly the value of this route should be better known but as yet, as there is no formal structure to the Order, the opportunities provided by the Order do go rather unnoticed, as has become clear from the article. I believe the French and other countries are more pro-active, one might say, in this regard. When I initially “searched” for an appropriate route into religious life even the Westminster source of advice had no knowledge of the OCVs! Favouring a Carmelite route I subsequently received advice from a helpful sister who fundamentally suggested my age was against entry, but she did come up with information about a local OCV, so I was ultimately able to “move on” in an appropriate direction. Others seeking a late vocation may also find the route attractive and are welcome to contact me if they so wish.
Sr Annette Stapleton, Nether Stowey, Somerset
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