Father Thomas Dubay, one of the foremost authorities on the religious life, discusses one of the most important but not fully appreciated or understood charisms of the consecrated life, the charism of virginity. Although the idea of virginity is unpopular and even despised in modern society, Dubay emphasizes that the importance of evangelical virginity is rooted in its Biblical foundation, both in the Old and New Testaments. Examining in detail what the call to virginity is and how it is integrated into the whole of ...
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Father Thomas Dubay, one of the foremost authorities on the religious life, discusses one of the most important but not fully appreciated or understood charisms of the consecrated life, the charism of virginity. Although the idea of virginity is unpopular and even despised in modern society, Dubay emphasizes that the importance of evangelical virginity is rooted in its Biblical foundation, both in the Old and New Testaments. Examining in detail what the call to virginity is and how it is integrated into the whole of consecrated life, Dubay presents his study in such a way as to be of importance to men as well. Noting that a woman, because of her feminine nature and traits, can image and live the Church's wedded relationship to Christ more realistically, Dubay points out that men with the celibate charism are also members of the virgin Church that is wedded to Christ, just as in the Old Testament the People of God was a virgin bride wedded to Yahweh. The common and distinct elements of male and female consecrated love are fully captured in these pages.
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While this book was written primarily for women religious, it can equally speak to male religious, and single consecrated laity.
Fr. DuBay explains the Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life is so much more than what people think of first - a "giving up" of marriage and children; it is, rather, a "giving" - a total life donation to God.
His description of vocation is one of the finest I have ever seen. He explains that vocation is not what you do, it is who you are - whether one is a teacher or doctor or firefighter, one day retirement will come and you will no longer do those jobs. However, a vocation defines who you are. Religious and consecrated life is not a "job".
In one of the most beautiful sections in the book, Fr. DuBay describes that every need that we have, even for a simple glass of water, is symbolic of our deeper thirst for God. He writes that we are "incarnate thirsts" and we will never be fully satisfied by anything other than God. This thirsting for God is the very basis of the Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life, for seeking to quench this desire will lead us to the total giving of ourselves to God.
I would recommend this book to any formation program, whether for the priesthood, convent, or secular institute. Though it is a small book, it contains tremendous wealth. It is a very easy read, for even though Fr. DuBay's writing is very deep and can inspire both individual prayer or group discussion, it is perfectly understandable and not written in a lofty manner which can go right over some heads.
I rated the book 5 stars because that was the highest available rating. If I could have, I would have given it 10 stars.
