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A doctor and a biologist in Spain embrace life as consecrated virgins

September 9, 2026 · 1 min read

The bishop of Getafe in Spain, Ginés García Beltrán, performed the Rite of Consecration to a Life of Virginity for Christ for two women: Ana Isabel García, a biologist, and Estefanía Ibáñez, a physician, for service to the Church and in a constant missionary spirit.

The ceremony took place on Sept. 6 at Nativity of Our Lady Church in the town of San Martín de la Vega.

During the homily, the bishop emphasized the spousal nature of the consecration: “This is a wedding; it is a marriage in the fullest sense of the word. It is a betrothal to Christ, to whom you give yourselves in faithfulness, giving yourselves forever.”

He explained that “the Bridegroom invites you to become beautiful, immaculate, and holy,” not only through personal commitment to Christ but also through a strong sense of mission: “You are born into the Church and born for the service of the Church,” specifically within the diocese and with the bishop as the virgin’s spiritual father in the consecrated life.

‘For a Christian, everything is mission’ Regarding this commitment, the bishop emphasized that it does not imply a withdrawal into the confines of the Christian community; rather, it represents a…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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George Anderson

That's interesting, two professional women – a biologist and a doctor – choosing this path. The bishop calling it a proper wedding and saying the bishop becomes their spiritual father makes sense in the rite. Good to see that missionary spirit stays front and centre instead of hiding away.

Gheorghe Munteanu

Yes, it's interesting that they are both women with serious jobs, a biologist and a doctor. I remembered what the bishop said, that it is a real wedding and that they are born to serve the Church in the diocese, not to retire. What does their daily mission actually look like now, after the consecration?