Welcome to the website of the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins and International Resource Center (USACV-IRC)
This is a voluntary association of consecrated virgins living in the world. The purpose of the USACV-IRC is to provide support to its members in the faithful living out their vocation to consecrated virginity and "…to assist one another in service to the Church as befits their state" (Canon 604, Code of Canon Law). The USACV-IRC website is designed both to serve our members and to provide information about the vocation of consecrated virginity lived in the world.
The Most Blessed Virgin Mary is our primary patroness, and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin, the first native American to be canonized, is also a patroness of the USACV. We hope you will enjoy browsing the pages of this website to learn more about the ancient vocation of consecrated virginity, newly restored in the Church in 1970 for women living in the world.
The United States Association of Consecrated Virgins and International Resource Center (USACV-IRV) is a voluntary association for women in the United States who have received the Consecration of Virgins for women living in the world, according to the pertinent provisions of Canon Law. The Association is formed in accord with Canon 604.2, "Virgins can be associated together to fulfill their pledge more faithfully and to assist each other to serve the Church in a way that befits their state."
The USACV has as its primary purpose to foster communication, solidarity, and support among United States consecrated virgins. The USACV and International Resource Center (IRC) for the Ordo Virginum operate as one organization to offer educational materials and programs of education about the vocation, as well as to encourage study and growth of understanding of the vocation of consecrated virginity lived in the world. Members of the USACV approved a change in the operating statutes (bylaws) of the USACV to incorporate the new IRC section, effective January 1, 2019. The first few years of the IRC will be transitional as we develop an online center to serve the vocation, primarily in English, yet also in Spanish.
The USACV-IRC is in full communion with the Magisterium of the Church and is linked to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops through an Episcopal Moderator. We are grateful to The Most Reverend Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, for serving in the capacity of Episcopal Moderator for the USACV-IRC.
Eligibility for full, voting membership: women living within the jurisdiction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who have been consecrated in accord with the Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity for Women Living in the World, under the provisions of canon 604 of the Code of Canon Law. Copies of the Organizational Statutes of the USACV-IRC are available upon request.