Consecrated virginity has been present even in the very earliest days of the church. Women who enter the order of virgins take a vow of perpetual virginity, thus promising to never enter into a marriage. Canon law states that “the order of virgins is … (a) form of consecrated life. Through their pledge to follow Christ more closely, virgins are consecrated to God, mystically espoused to Christ and dedicated to the service of the church, when the diocesan bishop consecrates them according to the approved liturgical rite.”

Her discovery began several years ago while attending a eucharistic celebration on what she later found out was the feast of Divine Mercy.

“I felt like God’s grace was flowing over me, like a wave,” said Waroway. “I felt overwhelmed by God’s love, and I felt it was necessary to respond to that love. My first reaction was tears, which turned to knowing in my heart that I had to find what God was calling me to.”

Thus, Waroway began to search for what her heart was yearning for. Her search eventually led her to her parish priest at the time, Fr. Barry Schoonbaert.

“He told me to ‘Shop around’ (for vocations),” said Waroway.

She looked through several directories for different vocations, and then stumbled upon the web site for the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins. When she found out more information about consecrated virginity, Waroway knew she had found the solution to her search.

“It wasn’t me saying, ‘Is this what I want to do?’ Instead I thought, ‘Wow, this is so me! This is what I was created to be!’ ”

After about a year and a half of preparations, on Oct. 26, 2008, at her home parish in Winnipeg, Waroway became a consecrated virgin.

Waroway says that the duty of a consecrated virgin’s life is a definite responsibility.

“Our main focus is prayer, and to pray for the church and the salvation of all people,” said Waroway. “Because I’m a teacher, and I work full time, my work has to be my prayer, because otherwise I won’t be at peace in my heart. When I’m not working, I spend a lot of time in private prayer, as well as go to daily Mass, and we pray the daily office.”

In preparation and discernment for her consecration, Waroway completed the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

“During the Spiritual Exercises, we meditated on the Nativity, and we looked at Christmas through the eyes of Mary and Joseph,” said Waroway. “Christmas was not like Hollywood movies. It was life or death for them — it was stressful. Not to mention that Mary was pregnant. She was running for her life, she was running for Jesus’ life.

“As consecrated virgins, we emulate Mary. We pray to her for strength, and we pray to her for guidance,” said Waroway. “It’s wonderful. There’s a spiritual connection there. She’s a mother, but she also feels like a sister, a best friend and a mentor.”

After the years of searching for her own vocation, Waroway had one thing to say to those who are searching.

“Don’t be afraid to surrender to Jesus. Surrender to Jesus, and if that’s what Jesus wants you to be, you will find that peace.”

(Richard, 15, is a Grade 11 homeschooled student from Winnipeg.)