In the Catholic Church a consecrated virgin is a woman who has dedicated herself to a life of virginity or perpetual chastity in the service of God and the Church in a form that is recognised by the Church. Men who have dedicated their virginity or perpetual chastity to God in this way tend to be referred to in Christian writings as "ascetics". Consecrated Virgins must not be confused with Consecrated hermits and anchorites, who have a rather different vocation.