CAMDEN— Lying prostrate on the floor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Laurie Elizabeth Power called on heavenly and earthly witnesses to accompany her on her new journey.
After the last verse of the Litany of Supplication – “Christ, graciously hear us” – Power, director of lifelong faith formation at Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco, approached Bishop Dennis Sullivan, knelt and placed her hands in his, declaring her intention to be a consecrated virgin.
“Father, receive my resolution to follow Christ in a life of perfect chastity which, with God’s help, I here profess before you and God’s holy people,” she stated the evening of Nov. 21 in front of dozens of clergy, professed religious, seminarians, family and friends who gathered to witness the Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity for a Woman Living in the World.
In response, the Bishop presented Power with a veil, “by which you are to show that you have been chosen … to the service of Christ and His body,” and a ring “that marks you as a bride of Christ.” He also gave her a book of the “Liturgy of the Hours,” which Power promised to pray every day. “May the praise of the heavenly Father be always on your lips. Pray without ceasing for the salvation of the whole world,” the Bishop said.
Acknowledging the crowd that filled the Cathedral’s pews, and many watching on diocesan livestream, Bishop Sullivan reminded the “bride of Christ” that the rite “is not a private matter between you and the Lord – the world needs to know that you are a consecrated woman living in the world. Our society needs to be challenged by what your consecration represents. People need to hear that God breaks into human lives and calls people.”
Power dedicated her virginity perpetually to God, betrothing herself mystically to Christ Jesus and pledging herself to the service of the Church. The occasion took place on an appropriate date: the Memorial of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple, a feast rooted in Mary’s virginal dedication to God.
“As Mary placed herself in the service of God, so do you,” Bishop Sullivan said. “As Mary had a unique role in the saving work of Christ, so do you.”
An undivided heart
Power, 42, – who is also co-host of the Diocese’s Talking Saints podcast – explains that she began exploring the call to become a consecrated virgin four years ago, when participating in the Diocese of Camden’s Samuel Group. The group, overseen by the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, helps young adults discern their spiritual future.
“The last session focused on the question, ‘How is your heart made to love?’” Power said.
“Two possibilities are offered: to love God through the love of one particular person, and in and through that love to be open to receiving and even giving more life, or to love God with an undivided heart. Through and because of Him, this love goes to everyone, with no exclusivity. Each person is the only one to love at any given time, the way Jesus did and still does. This is an all-inclusive love in the virtue of God’s love,” she explained.
“Belonging completely to Christ as His bride, giving witness to God’s love and to the spousal relationship to which we are all called in heaven and praying for and serving the local Church all drew me toward this vocation,” Power shared. “This call was confirmed by Bishop Sullivan, who invited me to begin a period of formation and ultimately to receive this consecration.”
Now that Power has been enrolled in the Order of Virgins of the Diocese of Camden, she will be guided by the supervision of the bishop of the Diocese, who is to keep vigilance over those who pursue to dedicate their lives to Jesus and the Church in this way.
Not being a member of a religious community, she will continue to live in the world and provide for her own cost-of-living needs.
Role model to many
Power’s family and numerous clergy expressed happiness in her calling to a life of consecrated virginity.
“She’s a great model for the whole parish, and for me as well,” said her pastor, Father Joseph Wallace of Christ the Redeemer.
“Laurie lives a life of prayer, service, kindness and compassion like no one else I’ve met. She’s so dedicated, and gives and gives and gives of herself. Her prayers, her good example, and her witness to Jesus Christ are going to be a leaven for all of us,” he said.
Power’s sister and brother-in-law, Ellen Gable and James Hrkach, made the trip from their home outside Ottawa, Canada, to support Power, who Gable called “a blessing to our whole family.”
Continuing that she’s not surprised about her sister’s path, Gable called Power someone who’s “always been very giving of her time, be that family, friends or the people of her parish.”
Hrkach added that his sister-in-law will bring her thoughtfulness to education and evangelization wherever she encounters God’s people. “There’s lots of good to come,” he said.
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