Bethan Townsend
From: Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, England, United Kingdom
Consecration Date: 09/06/24
Immediate Family: My immediate family includes seven people.
Spiritual children: Two!
Education: Foundation Degree in Youth Ministry and Chaplaincy – St Mary’s University, Twickenham; Theology, Religion and Ethics Undergraduate Degree – St Mary’s University, Twickenham
Current Job: Membership Services Team Coordinator at the St. Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales)
How did the Divine Bridegroom call you to be His bride as a CV and how did you respond?
It was a journey of discernment, firstly discerning the religious life, which led to discerning Consecrated Virginity. Through prayer, discernment, and support from others around me especially others either living the vocation, or also in discernment, the Lord made it clear that this was what He was calling me to. My five years of formation helped me to really be sure that this was what the Lord was calling me to.
Outstanding moments/graces from your Consecration Mass:
The impact of the liturgy for those who witnessed my Consecration Mass, especially the words of the Prayer of Consecration; the moment of prostrating, surrendering completely to Him.
Typical day in your life:
I get up fairly early especially on the days when I commute into the office. Mass will always take place at some point in the day, either sometime in the morning, or in the evening. I work full time, and so during a working day, I will work either from home or in the office. Once I have finished work, in the evening, I will cook and eat dinner and pray – in my Rule of Life, I am committed to praying five Offices from the Divine Office, as well as having a time for Lectio Divina. I will have some time to relax in the evening, before going to bed.
Hobbies/what you like to do in your free time:
I enjoy seeing friends, spending time listening to podcasts or the TV. I do enjoy a concert of classical music.
How you serve in the Church?
Within my job, I work for a Catholic charity; I am currently a catechist for Confirmation; I currently run a Bible Study group in the parish; I am an assistant Chaplain supporting young people on pilgrimage to Lourdes each year; I often support Diocesan events especially with reading in liturgies.
How do you take care of your health?
I try to eat a healthy, balanced diet and I get out and about everyday, especially with going to Mass.
What does community look like for you?
Community for me at the moment is my friends and family, my team at work, my friends who are either Consecrated or in formation to be, those in the Diocese and parish.
Challenges in the CV vocation and how you address those?
The challenge is to make sure the right community and support network is set up. Trying to get the balance of seeing friends and family, alongside ministry and work.
What causes, subjects, or current events are you passionate about?
With my job working for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the fact that we live in a place of great wealth and yet so many people live in poverty, struggling to provide for themselves and their families the most basic of needs of food and a home.
Favorite Scripture verse or passage and why?
‘She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future’ – Proverbs 31:25 – it has been a piece of scripture that has been with me for years, it is very fitting with the vocation to be a Consecrated Virgin, trusting in the Lord, living a life of joy with Him.
Favorite CV resources and why?
Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago (ESI) – It lays out the vocation very clearly, explains clearly the vocation and includes a beautiful prayer for the vocation at the end.
Christ in His Consecrated Virgins by Ludwig Munster – It explains the liturgy of the Consecration of a Virgin, though in the old rite. However, it does have beautiful explanations of the insignia and the veil.
How has your relationship with God changed/deepened since becoming a CV?
I feel a deeper sense of connection with Him, especially within the Mass. There are parts of the Mass, especially at the words of the Consecration where I hold my ring which is a great aid and focus in prayer. There is a desire to be with Him more, especially with wanting and needing daily Mass, and also the realisation that discernment of things in life such as where to live etc. I am discerning with Him. It isn’t about where I should live, but where we are going to live.
How have you/your life changed since becoming a CV?
A new identity is emerging, it took a while to settle down, the whole Consecration Mass seems likely a mystery. I am given the support to live out my vocation, especially at work. In some ways, there is a greater connection with others discerning and living out vocations such as to the priesthood – we share something, a life of celibacy for the Kingdom.
Which Saint has been your biggest inspiration as a CV and why?
St. Maria Goretti – she is my Confirmation saint and a relic of her was present on the altar at my Consecration. I ask for her prayers every day. She is the patron saint of young women, which is fitting as a young women and a young Consecrated Virgin. Her feast day is on my birthday too!
Most inspiring art in general in your life and why?
I love to watch Call the Midwife, which is a period drama set in the East of London in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Religious living and working as midwives, serving the people in the place in which they live. There are moments where women discern the religious life and enter the religious life within the show. The themes in which they cover in particular that of discernment, I have found very moving over the years as I have discerned my vocation too. It is an uplifting and wholesome show.
Advice to women discerning this vocation:
Spend time discerning in prayer and in the everyday, and seek others who are living out the vocation too. Have a good spiritual director who you meet with on a regular basis. Don’t discern on your own.
Resources:
My Consecration Mass can be found on the Arundel Cathedral Website.
Photos can be found on the Arundel & Brighton Diocese Flickr.
My vocation story is published on our Diocesan website.
