Sponsa Christi


Sponsa Christi is an Apostolic Constitution issued by Pope Pius XII on the Feast of the Presentation, November 21, 1950. It addresses the vocation of consecrated women and their mystical engagement with Christ.

Characteristics of the consecrated life

The first part of the constitution deals with the historical development of the vocation of virginity and the development of monastic women's monasteries from the congregations of consecrated virgins of the early church, and in particular the contemplative life. Pius XII. describes the characteristics of the consecrated life of women and explains: "Because of their consecration by the diocesan Bishop, they acquire a special bond with the Church, to which they devote their service, even if they remain in the world. Alone or in community they represent a special eschatological image of the heavenly bride and the future life, when the church will finally live the love of her bridegroom Christ in abundance.
For sacred virgins the service of the liturgy is essential. The Word of God and the liturgy are the sources from which the consecrated virgins are to draw, to know the will of God and to bind themselves to him in freedom and in love. In the same part, the Pope sets out the provisions governing nuns' examinations. With this constitution fixed rules for religious communities are established, furthermore, a guideline is given to the consecrated virgins living in the world.
Pope Pius cited Sponsa Christi in the March 25, 1954 encyclical Sacra Virginitas as showing the importance of the office consecrated men and women fulfill in the Church.

Foundations of Canon Law

The second part specifies the statutes valid according to canon law:
By the June 29, 2016 Apostolic Constitution Vultum Dei quaerere Pope Francis repealed the Statuta generalia Monialium.