There would seem to have been some who publicly, like
Marcellina, the sister of St. Ambrose, made their profession, and
formally received the veil at the hands of the Bishop; and others,
equally steadfast in purpose, whose vow of virginity was made in
private. Of the former, those living in Milan hardly seem to have
led a life in common, but at Bologna [I. 60] they did. The terms,
vow, taking the veil, and profession, were in use in St.
Ambrose’s day, as at present.