blog entry

Virginity

Liz O'Donnell

Last week I attended a mass celebration for a high school friend who had chosen to become a consecrated virgin. I am ashamed to admit I only attended the mass out of curiosity. I haven’t actually talked to this woman in years.  

Most of the girls in my high school spent so much energy lying about their virginity. They were either lying to cover up the fact they had lost it or that they hadn’t. Most of the girls I knew fell into the latter category (at least I think they did) and they spent hours contemplating the who, when and how of their future deflowering.

So I couldn’t help but wonder why a 40-something woman wanted to stand up in front of her community and announce her virginity to friends, family and elderly people who just happened to be their because last week was also the Feast of the Assumption. As one single friend of mine said when I told her about the virgin, “Wow, she has really given up hasn’t she?”

On the way to the church it started to rain. I wondered if rain on your wedding day is still considered good luck when you’re marrying the Lord.  Then it started to thunder and lighting and I realized if I didn’t stop thinking such bitchy thoughts God truly would strike me down. I tried to think holy, pure thoughts, but then I read the printed program while I waited for the service to begin. Apparently part of the ceremony included the Bishop placing a ring on the virgin’s finger to symbolize her union with Jesus, her bridegroom. Immediately I started wondering how many carats the Big Guy had ponied up.  

Once the mass began however, I have to say I was impressed by my old friend’s faith and conviction. And I was a little envious too. I believe in God but I really don’t have religion. It must be nice to be so sure about your vocation. And my guy didn’t pony up much in the carat department either. But at least it didn’t rain on my wedding day.