Becoming a sacred virgin

Marie Margaret Beccaloni prays at her consecration ceremony at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Marie Margaret Beccaloni prays at her consecration ceremony at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Marie Margaret Beccaloni approaches the altar at her consecration ceremony at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Marie Margaret Beccaloni lays down during her consecration ceremony at which she became a sacred woman promised only to Christ by Cardinal George, at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Marie Margaret Beccaloni kneels before Cardinal George at her consecration ceremony at which she became a sacred virgin promised only to Christ, at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Sara Navarro and Twanna Bolling adjust the veil, placed by Cardinal George, on Marie Margaret Beccaloni at her consecration ceremony at which she became a sacred woman promised only to Christ, at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Marie Margaret Beccaloni receives a ring from Cardinal George that marks her as a bride of Christ at her consecration ceremony at which she became a sacred virgin promised only to Christ, at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Marie Margaret Beccaloni returns to her seat during the consecration ceremony at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Consecrated virgin, Marie Margaret Beccaloni, bows her head at her consecration ceremony at which she became a sacred virgin promised only to Christ, at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Consecrated virgin, Marie Margaret Beccaloni, sings during her consecration ceremony at which she became a sacred woman promised only to Christ, at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)

Consecrated virgin, Marie Margaret Beccaloni, sits with Twanna Bolling and Sara Navarro during her consecration ceremony at which she became a sacred woman promised only to Christ, at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago on December 28th. (Julie Jaidinger / Catholic New World)