NEW YORK, JAN. 29, 2001 (Zenit.org).-
Bishop Thomas Daily of Brooklyn made history Sunday by presiding over the consecration of Christian virgins, in the first rite of its kind in the 148-year history of the diocese.
Bishop Daily conducted rituals for two women, Junette Romero of Flatbush and Angela Scannapieco of Williamsburg, who dedicated themselves publicly to a life of chastity.
The ceremony, called the Solemn Rite of Consecration of Virgins for Women Living in the World, took place at St. James´ Cathedral Basilica in downtown Brooklyn. The rite was revitalized and updated by Paul VI in 1970.
The chastity of women living in the world — they do not belong to religious congregations — goes back to the early days of Christianity. Women like deacon Philip´s four daughters, who were virgins and prophesied (Acts 21:8-10), were bearers of the news of the Gospel message.
