In this episode, Erin and I talked about:
The Newman Centre at the University of Toronto (LEARN MORE)
The Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate (LEARN MORE)
Erin referenced this passage from Isaiah 49:16: "Your walls are ever before me."
The Sisters of Life (LEARN MORE)
Speaking of the Sisters of Life, Sr. Antoniana Maria SV played a small part in Erin's story. Take a listen to my conversation with her here!
If you're ever in Toronto, the Sisters of Life do a monthly Eucharistic Adoration event called The Source. Learn more about those and other events here.
Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago from the Vatican on the Ordo virginum (READ)
I first met Erin Kinsella when she was MCing the Women's Discernment Brunch at CCO Rise Up in December 2019 in Toronto. It was there where I heard her beautiful discernment story, and how she became a consecrated virgin on September 14, 2019. I was captivated by her story and knew that I wanted to get in touch and hear more.
I don't know about you, but for the longest time, I thought that there were only two vocations for women: marriage and religious life. This third vocation of consecrated virginity is quite old, and yet, is relatively 'new' in terms of popularity. It really started to gain popularity again after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Erin joins other women in the Archdiocese of Toronto in imaging the church as a bride of Christ. It was amazing to hear her vocation story again, to learn more about this vocation, and what it means to image the church in the world through this vocation.
Listen to our conversation here:
Read and download the episode transcript here:
"It always amazes me how merciful the Lord is and how good He is and how well He knows us — He knows me better than I know myself." — Erin Kinsella
Meet Erin Kinsella
Erin Kinsella is a Consecrated Virgin of the Archdiocese of Toronto. She works as the Director of Campus Ministry at the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. She did her undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax and graduated with co-operative Honours in Microbiology and Immunology and went on to graduate studies in Texas. During her university years, she fell away from the practice of the Faith and looked for God in things that can only imitate His goodness. After becoming ill and being forced to discontinue her graduate studies, Erin had a powerful encounter with the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and experienced a “reversion” to the Faith. This eventually led her to work in Youth and Young Adult Ministry in various forms and in various provinces before landing in Toronto. Along the way, she discerned Religious Life and marriage, but through a long and winding path, God shut firmly the doors to those Vocations and led her to Consecrated Virginity. Erin’s deepest desire is to become a Saint and to take as many people with her as possible. Since there is already a Saint for lost causes, Erin hopes one day to be the patron Saint of people who struggle with the snooze button or the Patron Saint of sharing funny yet encouraging memes.
Erin also mentioned that if you are curious about this vocation and want to learn more, she would love to connect with you! You can email her at erin@newmantoronto.com.
This episode was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic.