CCC 923 “Virgins who, committed to the holy plan of following Christ more closely, are consecrated to God by the diocesan bishop according to the approved liturgical rite, are betrothed mystically to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the service of the Church.”1 By this solemn rite (Consecratio virginum), the virgin is “constituted. .. a sacred person, a transcendent sign of the Church’s love for Christ, and an eschatological image of this heavenly Bride of Christ and of the life to come.”2
1 CIC, can. 604 # 1.
2 Ordo Consecrationis Virginum, Praenotanda 1.