The word “consecrated” means set apart solely for God.
The word “life” refers to the person’s state of life, their
status in the church, which ultimately defines what responsibilities and rights
apply to them.
Therefore a person who is considered to be living the
“consecrated life” is someone who, living in a stable state of life recognized
by the Church, has dedicated their whole life to God in imitation of Christ
through the public profession of the Evangelical Counsels of Poverty, Chastity,
and Obedience.
“The first duty of the consecrated life is to make visible the
marvels wrought by God in the frail humanity of those who are called. They bear
witness to these marvels not so much in words as by the eloquent language of a
transfigured life, capable of amazing the world.” - Vita Consecrata #20