Wildflower Reunion

Season 3 concludes with the climax of the rite of consecration - the Bishop’s consecratory prayer - as the woman is consecrated to Jesus Christ. Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about the theology of the prayer of consecration, what it brings about in the soul of the woman consecrated, and how it differs from religious profession. They discuss certain parts of this significant and ancient prayer that have held most meaning for them in their consecrated lives.  Join us in September for Season 4!  Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion

Lying prostrate on the floor of the sanctuary. The Church singing the litany of the saints over you.  What is that experience like as a woman being consecrated to Christ? In this episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about the experience of prostration in the rite of consecration.  They talk about how they spiritually prepared for such a moment of self-surrender, how they chose extra saints to be included in the litany… and even the practicalities of prostrating on the sanctuary.  Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion

“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.” With these words, the woman to be consecrated gives her firm and definite resolve to lay down her life completely for Christ and his Church.  Can a person ever be ready to make such a solemn resolution? Is such a resolution a flight from relationship? Does it require a superhuman force? In this Easter episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about placing their hands into their Bishop’s and making this resolution.  “Celibacy is … presented as a free choice that takes place in the relational space that is the body. With this choice the person responds to the God of love who calls and reveals himself in the face of Christ. This is not a flight from relationship, nor is it the fruit of superhuman force, but a gift that belongs to the dynamism of the transfiguration of relationality that distinguishes the style begun by Jesus: evangelical fraternity, the basis of reconciled humanity and the foundation of koinonía on which the life of the Church is based.” Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 15 Find us here:  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/  Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion 

What does it feel like to resolve to “persevere to the end of your days in the holy state of virginity”? And to “accept solemn consecration as a bride of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God”?  These are two of the three questions to which a virgin gives her free consent during the Bishop’s examination leading up to the rite of her consecration.  In this Holy Week episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about their experiences of giving their free consent to their Bishops.   “The charism of virginity, accepted by the woman and confirmed by the Church through consecration, is a gift that derives from the Father, by means of the Son, in the Spirit.” Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 23 The four wildflowers also discuss the graces they have received during Lent.  Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion

What does it mean to receive the Liturgy of the Hours as a duty and an obligation? Is there a risk of it becoming a burden, lessening the personal nature of prayer? Karen, Hannah, Dawn and Simi share about the experience of taking on the responsibility of praying the Divine Office. They talk about how they schedule it into their days, what they do on unexpectedly chaotic days, and how they balance it with silent, contemplative prayer.  “Celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours, in particular Morning and Evening Prayer, [consecrated virgins] let the sentiments of Christ echo through them, absorbing them. They unite their voices to those of the entire Church, presenting to the Father the often unconscious cries of joy and sorrow that rise from humanity and from the whole of creation.” Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 34 The four wildflowers also share the most fruitful fast they have undertaken.   Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion

How does the consecrated virgin experience receiving the Liturgy of the Hours at her consecration as a gift? Karen, Hannah, Dawn and Simi talk about their experiences of receiving the breviary from the hands of their bishops, with their promise to, “Pray without ceasing for the salvation of the whole world.”  "The Mass is the ‘jewel’ that Christ has given to his Spouse, the Church; the Liturgy of the Hours reflects and extends its beauty through the hours of the day” (Fr Timothy Gallagher) The four wildflowers also share the spiritual commitments they have taken up for Lent.   Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion 

Isn’t it outdated for a woman to cover her head during worship? Why is veiling part of the consecration rite?   In this episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn discuss the rich scriptural and theological significance of the second insignia of the consecration rite: the veil.  Unlike ordinary marriage, a consecrated virgin enters the church unveiled but, during the ceremony, is veiled by her Bishop as a sign of her protection and concealment by Christ her Spouse.  Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about their own experiences of receiving the veil and what this has meant to them spiritually in their consecrated lives.  Scripture for this episode:  “My heart overflows with noble words. To the king I must speak the song I have made, my tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe. You are the fairest of the children of men and graciousness is poured upon your lips: because God has blessed you for evermore. … Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words: forget your own people and your father’s house. So will the king desire your beauty: He is your Lord, pay homage to him.” Psalm 45:1-2, 10-11 Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion

How can an ordinary woman be “mystically espoused” to Jesus Christ? Season 3 will discuss elements in the Rite of Consecration.  In this episode, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn discuss the first of the insignia of the Rite: the ring.  What does the ring mean as a tangible sign of a consecrated virgin’s mystical espousal and covenant with Christ? What is it like to wear the ring for the first time? And how do we choose our rings? Scripture for this episode:  “You shall no more be termed Forsaken,      and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My delight is in her,     and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you,     and your land shall be married.  For as a young man marries a virgin,     so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,     so shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62: 4 - 5

What have been the blessings and the areas of growth as we come to the end of the year? In the final episode of 2025, Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn talk about the movements of the past year that they are pondering in their hearts. They share their joys, sorrows, and hopes of their lives embedded in a world of much turbulence and change over the past year. This is the last episode of season 2. (And we love our Bride of Christ hoodies sent by a listener!!) We will return on February 1, 2026 with season 3.  Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion  

Is it possible for consecrated virgins to live obedience if they do not have a religious superior? What does obedience look like when you are not in a convent with bells ringing?! Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn talk about how obedience is “holding onto every least intimation of the will of God” (Mother Mary Francis). It is important that we have concrete ways to live in obedience: following our plan of life and being attentive to the magisterium of our bishops and the Pope. But there are also more delicate calls to obedience: through those we live amongst in the world, through friendship, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  This is the last episode of our book study of “My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His: Meditations on Brideship” - by Mother Mary Francis PCC, particularly the section on the Vow of Chastity.  Buy the book here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Mine-His-Meditations-Brideship/dp/1685951597⁠ or download here: ⁠https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hAdD_WW1xNglsgWHR90HDlUme2Rs4H1y/view?usp=share_link⁠  Key quote: “It is obedience to the Father that all good is accomplished. It is in knowing how to bow one’s head in suffering obedience that alone renders one radiant. Willfulness, worldliness, immaturity, infantilism all pretend to be strong because these characteristics are so weak. The truly strong never have to proclaim their strength.” Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion

Does being consecrated mean owning few possessions? What does poverty look like in the world, compared to religious life? How can consecrated virgins live in such a way that material poverty lived in freedom leads to true spiritual poverty? Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn also discuss the risk of living in material poverty without authentic groundedness and human integration. They also share about their splurge items…!   We continue our book study of “My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His: Meditations on Brideship” - by Mother Mary Francis PCC, particularly the section on the Vow of Chastity.    Buy the book here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Mine-His-Meditations-Brideship/dp/1685951597⁠ or download here: ⁠https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hAdD_WW1xNglsgWHR90HDlUme2Rs4H1y/view?usp=share_link⁠  Key quote: “Looking at the poor Christ in the radiance of your vow you discover that you must never have anywhere to lay your head except upon his heart. And the head of the bride laid upon the heart of the Beloved is close enough to see the radiance of his face. Poverty is the radiance of your mind wanting nothing but Christ.” Find us here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerreunion Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerreunion/ Linktree https://www.linktr.ee/wildflowerreunion  

Why would consecrated virgins deprive themselves of a fulfilling and lifegiving human marriage? Isn’t a life of chastity just a life of deprivation? Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn talk about how chastity is feasting as well as fasting. Being dependent only on Christ’s love is not to be empty or lacking, but to be full. They talk about how chastity is a deep integration within ourselves, so as to be able to make a complete self-gift. Chastity allows for a life where, “He will have your heart for himself alone, and he will sit a King upon his own throne” (The Imitation of Christ). Key quote: “This is the vocation of the bride: to be full of love. …And you know that any vessel that is brimming full will always spill over. You cannot move it without it spilling over.”

What do we do when we experience big emotions, crises or overwhelming fear? How do we stay in the ‘sacrament of the present moment’? Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn talk about how we walk steadily forward as brides of Jesus Christ. They discuss being vigilant and attentiveness to signs that we are ‘declining’ from our vocation as brides.    We continue our book study of “My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His: Meditations on Brideship” - by Mother Mary Francis PCC, particularly the sections Walking on in Faith, Non Declinare, Inclinare, and Reclinare.    Buy the book here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Mine-His-Meditations-Brideship/dp/1685951597⁠ or download here: ⁠https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hAdD_WW1xNglsgWHR90HDlUme2Rs4H1y/view?usp=share_link⁠  Key quote: "When things seem wrong, it is only because my vision is limited and will never be corrected except in the trust of leaning back in his arms. This is what all contemplative prayer is meant to be."

Are we not vulnerable as brides of Christ? In this episode, we talk about how, living with Christ as our "Head," we rightly have tremendous bridal confidence. St. Therese's Little Way teaches us the confidence that complete surrender and reliance on Christ gives us. In Mother Mary Francis' words, "A bride who is confident puts down the anchor of her soul, and then she was ready for all that God would send her." We continue our book study of “My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His: Meditations on Brideship” - by Mother Mary Francis PCC, particularly the sections Eternal Values and Churchliness. Buy the book here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Mine-His-Meditations-Brideship/dp/1685951597⁠ or download here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hAdD_WW1xNglsgWHR90HDlUme2Rs4H1y/view?usp=share_link  Key quote: “No one who is not willing to suffer at times the great loneliness of soul Christ our Lord himself suffered should try to live as a consecrated person.” 

"To be a woman is to love and to suffer."  Is this not a demeaning statement to make about the vocation of woman? Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn talk about discovering the fullness of life and of womanhood. They talk about the risks of the opposite of bridal surrender: pettiness and self-absorption. The bride of Christ is completely surrendered when she is "totally occupied with what we are supposed to be doing" (p27). We continue our book study of “My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His: Meditations on Brideship” - by Mother Mary Francis PCC, particularly the sections All the Days of Her Life, Nurturing, and Complete Surrender. Buy the book here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Mine-His-Meditations-Brideship/dp/1685951597⁠ or download here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hAdD_WW1xNglsgWHR90HDlUme2Rs4H1y/view?usp=share_link  Key quote: "A woman is most a woman when she is giving: giving her service, giving herself. A nun [or consecrated virgin] is most a nun when the fullness of her surrender to God is evidenced in her consuming desire to give her energies to souls." p33

The spirituality of brideship is at the heart of consecrated virginity, but isn't it sentimental, sugary, or even spiritual eroticism? Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about the true and all-demanding reality of brideship. It is the vocation of allowing Jesus to provide everything. It is the strongest force there is.  We begin our book study of “My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His: Meditations on Brideship” - by Mother Mary Francis PCC. Buy the book here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Mine-His-Meditations-Brideship/dp/1685951597⁠ or download here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hAdD_WW1xNglsgWHR90HDlUme2Rs4H1y/view?usp=share_link  Key quote: “[A bride] has a woman’s security of being greatly loved and cherished by a Lover. And when a woman has this security of being loved, there is really nothing that she cannot do. There is nothing that she cannot bear; there is nothing that she cannot find courage to face.” p66

What does it mean to live a “public” vocation? How do you discern public consecration, versus taking a private vow? And what does this look like in different aspects of our lives, including our online lives? In this final episode of season 1, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn share their experiences of living their witness as consecrated virgins publicly.  Season 2 Announcement! Join us in September as we read together “My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His: Meditations on Brideship” - by Mother Mary Francis PCC. Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Mine-His-Meditations-Brideship/dp/1685951597

How can we as brides of Christ live radically guided by the Holy Spirit? What are the practical ways that we respond daily to the promptings of the Counsellor and Comforter? How do we experience him as the greatest Formator of our lives? In the days leading up to Pentecost, Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about the profound and unique relationship between virginity and life in the Spirit. 

What is it like to tell your family and friends for the very first time you are discerning consecrated virginity? How do you navigate your family not understanding or rejecting your vocation? What are the best ways to approach your diocese? Karen, Simi, Dawn and Hannah share their own experiences, and offer advice for broaching the subject with family and friends. 

How can consecrated virgins be spiritual mothers? In this month of May dedicated to Mary, we explore the topic of spiritual motherhood. What does it mean to foster a hospitable interiority to receive others? How can our motherhood be both tenderly soft and fiercely protective? And is spiritual motherhood is fulfilling as biological motherhood? 

It’s Holy Week and we are diving into experiences of desolation in our lives. Why is it especially important for consecrated virgins to learn how to live and pray through desolation well? When do we need to push in further, and when might we need to make a change? And does darkness ever make us doubt our vocation?

What does it mean to live a vocation that is at the heart of the Church - as well as at the heart of the world? What does the relationship look like with our dioceses and bishops, and what is the formation process like for consecrated virgins? Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn also talk about avoiding temptations to bitterness and developing a perceiving and interceding feminine heart for the local Church.

What are the differences between consecrated virgins and religious sisters? If sisterhood is not essential to the life of a consecrated virgin, why do we seek it out? Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn talk about what sisterhood with other CVs can look like, and the pitfalls of not having such sisterhood in our lives.

If consecrated virgins don’t have community built into their lives in the form of family, or religious community, does that mean being lonely? If we are called to pour out in ministry, who is pouring into us? Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn talk about the essential nature of friendship - of having those in my life who love me as “another self” - in order to enjoy the fullness of life as consecrated virgins.

Is it really possible to find silence and solitude in the busyness of the world? How do we keep solitude at the service of mission? What does it look like for an extrovert and for an introvert? (And which of us are which??!) Karen, Simi, Hannah and Dawn discuss these questions.....alongside a little light-hearted chat about fashion! 

Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about how they experienced the call to live “in the world.” What does it mean about God’s love for the world, and why is it such a gift to this particular moment in history? How is our life different from how religious sisters live in the convent, and what are the challenges of living in the world? And, how do we know what the line is between being “in the world” and “just worldly”?

Karen, Hannah, Simi and Dawn talk about what daily life looks like a consecrated virgin. What work do they do? What are the joys and challenges of consecrated virginity lived in the world? How do they find balance between prayer, work, and time for others?

Karen, Hannah, Simi, and Dawn share more about the inspiration behind the 'Wildflower Reunion' podcast. Why 'Wildflower Reunion'? What is consecrated virginity? They share more about who they are, how they were called to the vocation of consecrated virginity, and how they came to be friends. You can find 2018 Instruction from the Vatican on consecrated virginity, Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, here.