October 3, 2006

East Aurora woman to become Consecrated virgin

One of the oldest rites of the Catholic Church will be administered this Saturday (Oct. 7, 11 a.m.) when Lori R. Cannizzaro takes the vows as a Consecrated virgin. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of Buffalo, will be the principal celebrant at the Solemn Mass of Consecration of a Virgin that will be held at Immaculate Conception Parish, 520 Oakwood Ave. in East Aurora (14052).

Through this profession of vows, Cannizzaro will offer her resolve to live in perpetual virginity for God and is set aside as sacred, espoused to Christ, and belonging to Him alone.

A member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Cannizzaro, 42, is the only child of Anthony and Joan Cannizzaro, both deceased. She is employed in the kitchen at Christ the King Seminary.

“Having felt called to be single since 1995, I ascertained in prayer that the Lord was calling me to more than just single life,” Cannizzaro said. “Spiritual direction helped me to decide where the Lord was leading me. Talking with women already living the vocation showed me that our calls were similar and I felt very much at home among them.”

As part of her formation, Cannizzaro attended classes at Christ the King Seminary, and received individual instruction from Sister M. Charlene Nowak, CSSF, vicar for religious of the diocese, and Father James J. Ruddick, SJ, associate vicar for religious. The instruction was extensive and included review of papal documents, Church history and spirituality.

The Consecrated virgin receives the sacraments regularly, is faithful to private prayer and is responsible to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. As a special focus, she prays for the intentions of her bishop, the clergy and the needs of her diocese. Cannizzaro is a member of a prayer group whose charism is to pray for priests and seminarians.

As a Consecrated virgin, she will not wear special garb, nor will she be known by a special title. She will live her vocation individually and provide completely for her own material needs, including medical care and retirement resources.

Cannizzaro will be free to choose her own way of serving the Church according to her natural spiritual gifts. Bishop Kmiec will approve the conditions under which she will live her vocation.

“This is a remarkable moment in the history of our diocese,” Bishop Kmiec said. “Lori Rose has a deep faith and her spiritual life has prepared her well for this important moment, as she gives herself totally to God and to the Church.”

Cannizzaro becomes the second Consecrated virgin in the Diocese of Buffalo. Cheryl L. Benzin of Blessed Sacrament Parish in the Town of Tonawanda became a Consecrated virgin in 1995.

For more information on Consecrated virgins go to www.consecratedvirgins.org

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