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Cardinal Francis George presided at a Mass of Consecration of Diane Zervos as a virgin living in the world on June 28 at St. Thomas More Parish in Chicago. Here, Zervos lays prostrate before the altar while the congregation prays the litany of the saints. The Order of Virgins represents a particular form of consecrated life that has seen renewal since the Second Vatican Council. This type of consecration has ancient roots when women were drawn to dedicate themselves to God while living in the world. It predates orders of religious women living in community.

Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World