My Consecration Journey

Several months ago, I experienced a calling from God. Through that experience I

came to understand that God wanted me to remain alone. My lifelong partner had

died over two and a half years before. Since then I had been asking God the

obvious question, “What now?” The ‘calling’ was the answer that eventually came.

I KNEW God was asking me to be on my own for the rest of my life.

To be His and His alone.

He wanted no-one to come into my life who would divide my devotion.

He wanted me for Himself.

Once I’d recovered from the shock, I said yes. In the privacy of my own bedroom I

gave my word that I would do this. I thought that was the end of it. I was wrong.

Within forty-eight hours I received a diomail (an email from Leicester diocese). I

wasn’t sure why until I read it. It contained a story of a woman who had just taken

her final vow as an SCL – Single Consecrated Life. I’d never heard of such a thing

but, somehow, I knew it had been brought to me for a reason. I was curious and

looked into it. Once I’d investigated a bit further I went back to God. “Is this what

you want me to do?” “You want me to ‘go public’?” “You want me to do this

officially?” Back came the answer in another tsunami of conviction. I was stunned!

What is it?

It is an ancient religious vocation, that is recognised by both the Catholic and

Anglican churches. It is rare.

I came to discover there are less than fifty SCLs in Britain.

Nevertheless, I discovered there was a network on the internet for SCLs and made

initial contact with them. I was sent very useful information, which I took to my

Spiritual Director whom I’d been seeing for about a year. She advised me to spend a

period in private discernment and to ask a few trusted people to pray for me during

that time. I did both and, also, retreated to Launde Abbey to

‘process’ God’s invitation without distraction.

I came back totally resolved to do God’s bidding.

On New Year’s Day I sent an email to Leicester diocese saying that I wished to

pursue this vocation. I was passed on to James Pickersgill, the Bishop’s Chaplain,

who had handled the consecration of the woman in the diomail, so he knew what I

was talking about. The woman lives locally.

James arranged for me to meet up with her and she and I had a long chat over coffee in Starbucks.

James also arranged for me to have a meeting with Bishop Saju,

who had presided over this woman’s consecration.

The Process!

A vow of celibacy is given to a bishop, who then becomes the guardian of that vow.

The bishop, or someone he/she delegates to, stays in contact with the SCL to make

sure they are living as they should.

Normally a ‘first’ vow is given, or ‘professed’,

and is followed by an official period of discernment for up to three years.

Having been in touch with the network and the local woman, I discovered that one or two

SCLs had gone straight for the ‘life’ vow. In view of my age, (79) I wanted to do just

that. Bishop Saju was at first reluctant but eventually agreed.

My consecration ceremony, which James pointed out is very much like a wedding

ceremony, will take place at St John the Baptist church in Hungarton on

Saturday 6th June at 3pm.

Like any wedding ceremony, it is a public event and anyone can sit in

on it. Many came along to rejoice with me.

What does it all mean to me?

I’m hoping and intending that my relationship with God will become deeper and more

intimate than ever. Through my contact with the network. It appears that there two

paths within this lifestyle; one is the vital work that Christians do in the world.

The coalface stuff, like taking care of the needy, feeding the hungry, sheltering the

homeless, peacemaking etc. That kind of vital work. The other path is the

contemplative one; spending time in solitude, silence, stillness, listening, waiting,

prayer, worship, meditation, studying scripture and exploring alternative ways of

doing these things. This is where I believe God is leading me. I intend to obey.

Fay Holdom

24/5/26