A 38 Year Old Virgin Says “I Do” To Jesus Christ In A Wedding Attended By Hundreds. Exclusive Pictures:

A 38-year-old Indiana high school teacher, Jessica Hayes, joined an elite band of ‘consecrated virgins’ when she ‘got married’ to the son of God in downtown Fort Wayne at the weekend.

The consecrated virgins are similar to nuns in that they live chaste lives. But they do not live in convents and they are not obliged to take on any particular work for the Catholic Church. However, most volunteer for their local diocese or Church associations.

Hayes, who is a theology teacher at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, said she decided to become a consecrated virgin after years of prayer and soul-searching.

She says she will continue to live her normal life at home – only now she will not be able to get married to anyone else or to have sex for the rest of her life.

‘My students asked if they should call me Mrs. Hayes when I come back to school next week, and no, I’m still Ms,’ she said.

‘But I am married to Jesus.’

The service is not literally a marriage. However it uses some of the symbols of marriage, including a dress, a veil and a ring, to make the point that women who become consecrated virgins are pledging to spend their life in the service of God.

Hundreds of people attended the service – most of whom were strangers to the bride. She said most turned up because they were ‘interested’ – and she was pleased with the turnout.

‘I’m so happy to have had so many witnesses (at the wedding) because there may be others that the Lord is calling in this way that have now heard of this life and can consider it in their prayer.’ She said.

She is now one of only 3,500 consecrated virgins around the world and the first consecrated virgin at the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese in 25 years.