Source: BBC News
By Valeria Perasso
Jessica Hayes bought herself a wedding gown, a veil and a ring. But when she stood at the altar facing the bishop during a solemn religious ceremony, there was no groom by her side.
She was getting married to Jesus Christ.
Ms Hayes, 41, is a consecrated virgin – a vocation taken by women within the Catholic Church who wish to give themselves as brides to God.
Even within Catholicism, consecrated virgins are little-known – partly because the vocation was only publicly sanctioned by the Church less than 50 years ago.
During the consecration ceremony, the candidate – who wears a bride-like, white dress- makes life-long chastity vows and promises never to engage in sexual or romantic relationships.
Categories: Catholic Church, Europe, The Muslim Times, Women