Welcome!
"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for a smile is the beginning of love" - Mother Teresa
"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for a smile is the beginning of love" - Mother Teresa
“Jesus has proposed to me…and I said yes!”
I have been called to the unique vocation of consecrated virginity lived in the world. One of the oldest forms of consecrated life in the Catholic Church that exists for women, consecrated virginity is a sacred vocation where a woman offers the gift of her physical virginity to Christ, as a sign of the dedication of her entire being to Him. She lives as a "bride of Christ" and an image of the Church. Unlike women in religious orders (nuns or sisters), consecrated virgins do not join a specific religious community, live in a convent, wear a habit or veil, or take the traditional vows of poverty and obedience. Instead, the distinct characteristics of this vocation include:
Spousal Focus: The vocation represents a mystical betrothal to Jesus Christ. The primary outward symbol of this covenant is a wedding band they receive on the day of their consecration.
Life in the World: Consecrated virgins live and work in the secular world, supporting themselves financially. They do not wear a religious habit, use the title "Sister," or alter their names.
Diocesan Connection: Consecrated virgins answer directly to the local diocesan bishop and focus their prayers and penance on his intentions and the needs of the local Church.
Prayer and Service: Consecrated virgins maintain a deep focus on private prayer, daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, and works of mercy, living out spiritual motherhood in their communities
Holy Hour & Welcome Party
Friday, Oct 30th - 5pm-8pm || St. John Paul II Newman Center (700 S Morgan St, Chicago)
Free parking is available in a small parking lot on the southside of the building or on the lawn. Once the parking lot/lawn reaches capacity, there is paid street parking available along Taylor St. The CTA UIC/Halsted blue line stop is also a short walk away.
Adoration with Praise & Worship music will be available from 5pm-6pm.
Eucharistic Adoration is an act of prayer where Christians spend time before the consecrated bread (the Host), which is believed to be the true body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Pizza, salad, and beverages will be provided after Adoration. Complimentary drinks from Cor Coffee will also be available from 6pm-7:30pm.
Rite of Consecration of a Virgin Living in the World
Saturday, Oct 31st - 11am || Holy Name Cathedral (730 N Wabash Ave, Chicago)
Free parking is available on a first come, first served basis inside the One Chicago Square parking garage (located across the street from the Cathedral at 14 W. Superior St between Dearborn and State St). Once the parking garage is full, there is paid street parking available around the side streets via the Park Chicago app, or you can check Spothero for other nearby parking garages. The CTA Chicago/State red line stop is also right next to the Cathedral.
“Sunday best” attire — please keep modesty in mind.
Priests and Deacons:
Please bring a white alb and a white (arch)diocesan stole.
For those in religious communities, bring a white alb and white stole.
For those outside of the Archdiocese of Chicago, please send in a letter of suitability no later than two weeks in advance.
Seminarians:
Please bring a cassock and surplice.
A livestream link will be provided closer to the date for those unable to attend in person.
Post-Mass Reception
Saturday, Oct 31st - after Mass || Holy Name Cathedral Courtyard (northside of Cathedral)
Open to everyone right after the Mass, and light refreshments will be provided.
Reception
Saturday, Oct 31st - 5pm-6pm || St. Benedict Parish (2215 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago)
Optional Vigil Mass for the Feast of All Saints for those wishing to fulfill their weekend Holy Day of Obligation!
Free parking is available in the St. Benedict school courtyard on the southwest side of the church. The courtyard is only accessible from Bell Ave. Free street parking is also available on Irving Park Rd in front of the rectory and church.
Saturday, Oct 31st - 6pm-10pm || St. Benedict School Gym (3900 N Leavitt St, Chicago)
Children are welcome and activities will be provided! For those still wishing to do a little trick or treating, the neighborhood around the parish is family-friendly and will have lots of other trick-or-treaters :)
Free parking is available in the St. Benedict school courtyard on the southwest side of the church. The courtyard is only accessible from Bell Ave. Free street parking is also available on Irving Park Rd in front of the rectory and church.
Sunday Mass
Sunday, Nov 1st - 11am || St. Alphonsus Church (1429 W Wellington Ave, Chicago)
Optional Sunday Mass for the Feast of All Saints at Becca’s Chicago parish for those wishing to fulfill their weekend Holy Day of Obligation!
Free parking is available in a small parking lot next to the church or on any of the side streets (Oakdale, Wellington, Greenview, etc.). Paid street parking is available on Lincoln Ave.
Sunday, Nov 1st - 1pm || Golden Apple Grille & Breakfast House (2971 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago)
Join us after Mass for brunch to celebrate the Feast of All Saints and Becca’s Consecration!
Founded in 1970, the Golden Apple is open 24/7 and has been visited by a few famous celebrities. “Emmy Award winner, Tina Fey, frequented the Golden Apple during her tenure at Second City, sitting in our booths writing scripts; legendary NBA Hall of Fame Chicago Bulls Coach, Phil Jackson, loved our burgers, critically acclaimed CBS News broadcaster, Bill Curtis, stopped by to interview local Chicago residents and hear about their struggles, Chicago Sun Times Food Editor, Sherman Kaplan, as a frequent diner, wrote a personal review, and Microsoft Founder, Bill Gates, paid us a visit once upon a time. We pride ourselves in offering a sense of local community, creating friendly relationships with families and their children, having a conversation and always keeping our door open with compassion to those in need of a helping hand. Consistent quality customer service, quality foodservice at affordable prices.” (excerpt taken from The Golden Apple’s website)
Free parking is available in a small parking lot next to St. Alphonsus Church or on any of the side streets (Oakdale, Wellington, Greenview, etc.). Paid street parking is also available on Lincoln Ave.
**For any guest(s) with dietary restrictions, please RSVP individually.
***PLEASE NOTE: I feel incredibly blessed to celebrate this special day with the people I love, so your presence would be the greatest gift of all. However, if you would still like to give a gift, a monetary gift to help subsidize the cost of the weekend’s celebrations or a donation to the St. John Paul II Newman Center in my honor would be greatly appreciated. You can add my name to the prayer request box on the donation page.***
Flights
O’Hare International Airport (10000 W O'Hare Ave, Chicago, 60666)
Midway International Airport (5700 S Cicero Ave, Chicago, 60638)
Lodging
The Hotel at Midtown (2444 N Elston Ave, Chicago)
Hyatt Place Chicago/Wicker Park (1551 W North Ave, Chicago)
Holiday Inn Express Chicago (640 N Wabash Ave, Chicago)
Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile (160 E Huron St, Chicago)
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North (600 N State St, Chicago)
Airbnb (Lincoln Park, Lake View, Wrigleyville, Roscoe Village, Wicker Park, Old Town, or Bucktown are suggested areas)
Here are a few suggestions of fun things to see and do while you are visiting the best city in the USA :)
Lincoln Park Zoo - free admission
Art Institute of Chicago - see famous original art pieces from Monet, Picasso, van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, and more
Second City - comedy club; many famous comedians used to perform here, such as Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Mike Myers, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and more