the Week of Proper 17 / Ordinary 22
Click here to join the effort!
Bible Dictionaries
Vow of Chastity
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
Forbids all voluntary sexual pleasure. It constitutes a matrimonial impediment. If the vow be a simple one, which may be anyone of four kinds (of virginity, of not marrying, of receiving Sacred Orders, or of entering religion), it is a hindering impediment, rendering a marriage unlawful although valid, unless a dispensation be obtained. If the vow be solemn, which means that it is made publicly and for life in a religious community wherein such vows are administered, it constitutes a diriment impediment. In certain other communities which have received a special permission from the Holy See to that effect, simple vows would cause a diriment impediment. In either case a dispensation may be given by the Church. The reception of Sacred Orders (that is, of the first of the major orders, which, in our Latin Rite, is subdeaconship) imposes a solemn vow of chastity; and while the Church has the power of dispensing from this, this has been very seldom done.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Entry for 'Vow of Chastity'. 1910 New Catholic Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ncd/​v/vow-of-chastity.html. 1910.