Becoming a bride of Christ

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
ROBERTSDALE — Sonia Karina Cruz Castañeda walked the aisle and received a ring like any bride would. But not many become brides of Christ.
Cruz was consecrated to a life of virginity for women living in the world during a Mass and celebration Jan. 28 at St. Patrick Parish in Robertsdale. Celebrated by Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, the consecration was believed to be only the second in the Archdiocese of Mobile. 
The vocation was restored on the heels of Vatican II in the 1970s and a woman renews her resolve to live in perpetual virginity for God and shows her understanding that she is espoused to Christ and belonging only to him. 
“I’m very happy, very excited and very blessed to be here for my community and the Church,” Cruz said. 
Friends and family flocked to St. Patrick for the ceremony because as parish pastor Fr. Jim Morrison said, Cruz has been “a gift for the community.”
Cruz was accompanied down the aisle by Sister Margaret Harte, P.B.V.M. and Sister Deborah Kennedy, R.S.M. Sister Margaret is the principal of St. Patrick Catholic School and Sister Deborah is the Liasion for Religious for the archdiocese and served as Cruz’s formation director. 
Cruz’s formation for her consecration took two years and Sister Deborah said it was a privilege to be with Cruz throughout her journey toward consecration.
“When one is privileged to walk with another person on her spiritual journey, it is always an opportunity for personal spiritual growth. These past two years, guiding Sonia in her preparation for Consecration as a Virgin Living in the World, have been an extraordinarily graced time for me personally,” Sister Deborah said. “This faith-filled, deeply spiritual woman called forth in me a renewal and strengthening of my own vowed commitment as a Sister of Mercy. The ritual of Consecration for Sonia became a time of gratitude and thanksgiving for me.”
The Rite of Consecration took place for the Gospel. 
The rite calls for an examination of the candidate as Archbishop Rodi asked Cruz if she resolved “to persevere to the end of your days in the holy state of virginity and in the service of God and His Church,” “to follow Christ in the spirit of the Gospel, that your whole life may be a faithful witness to God’s love and a convincing sign of the kingdom of Heaven,” and “to accept solemn consecration as a bride of our Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God.”
After answering “I am” to each, Cruz prostrated herself before the altar while the Litany of the Saints was prayed.
“It was very emotional inside and outside when all the saints came together to pray for me and us,” she said.
Archbishop Rodi then prayed the Prayer of Consecration and presented Cruz with a ring that is her insignia of consecration and a book of the Liturgy of the Hours. 
She is responsible for praying the Liturgy of the Hours. She will not use the title “Sister,” wear a habit or veil or be a member of a religious community. She will choose her own way of serving the Church. 
During his homily, Archbishop Rodi encouraged Cruz to “never forget that you are given over entirely to the service of the Church and of all your brothers and sisters.”
He added, “Love everyone, especially those in need. Help the poor. Care for the weak. Teach the ignorant. Protect the young. Minister to the old. Bring strength and comfort to widows and all in adversity.”
Cruz said she plans to “put it in practice everyday. … if someone needs anything, to be available for everyone, any time.”
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