Chastity ISN'T CELIBACY!? What is it then?

[followingtheway]

What is Chastity or what does it mean to be chaste? I used to think chastity means to be like a monk and have no sex at all (therefore meaning celibacy). Until one day I heard that everyone even SPOUSES should be chaste? What is Chastity then?

 

[Castello]

The section in the Catechism is so good, it is too long to post here -

A couple of snips (give the whole thing a read here scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#2337)

2337 Chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being. Sexuality, in which man’s belonging to the bodily and biological world is expressed, becomes personal and truly human when it is integrated into the relationship of one person to another, in the complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman.

The virtue of chastity therefore involves the integrity of the person and the integrality of the gift.

2348 All the baptized are called to chastity. The Christian has "put on Christ,"135 the model for all chastity. All Christ’s faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their particular states of life. At the moment of his Baptism, the Christian is pledged to lead his affective life in chastity.

2349 "People should cultivate [chastity] in the way that is suited to their state of life. Some profess virginity or consecrated celibacy which enables them to give themselves to God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. Others live in the way prescribed for all by the moral law, whether they are married or single."136 Married people are called to live conjugal chastity; others practice chastity in continence:

There are three forms of the virtue of chastity: the first is that of spouses, the second that of widows, and the third that of virgins. We do not praise any one of them to the exclusion of the others. . . . This is what makes for the richness of the discipline of the Church.

2350 Those who are engaged to marry are called to live chastity in continence. They should see in this time of testing a discovery of mutual respect, an apprenticeship in fidelity, and the hope of receiving one another from God. They should reserve for marriage the expressions of affection that belong to married love. They will help each other grow in chastity

 

[ConstantineTG]

Chastity is basically using sex the right way. It means if you are not married, then you should be a virgin. If you are married, then you should only be having sex with your spouse.

So simply put, chastity means having sex only with your spouse. So if you are not married, then you shouldn’t be having sex.

 

[thistle]

What is Chastity or what does it mean to be chaste? I used to think chastity means to be like a monk and have no sex at all (therefore meaning celibacy). Until one day I heard that everyone even SPOUSES should be chaste? What is Chastity then?

Modern Catholic Dictionary:

CELIBACY. The state of being unmarried and, in Church usage, of one who has never been married. Catholicism distinguishes between lay and ecclesiastical celibacy, and in both cases a person freely chooses for religious reasons to remain celibate.

Lay celibacy was practiced already in the early Church. The men were called “the continent” (continentes) and women “virgins” (virgines). They were also known as ascetics who were encouraged to follow this form of life by St. Paul. According to the Apostle, “An unmarried man can devote himself to the Lord’s affairs, all he need worry about is pleasing the Lord . . . In the same way an unmarried woman, like a young girl, can devote herself to the Lord’s affairs; all she need worry about is being holy in body and spirit” (I Corinthians 7:32, 34). Throughout history the Church has fostered a celibate life in the lay state. Towering among the means of sanctity available to the laity, declared the Second Vatican Council, “is that precious gift of divine grace given to some by the Father to devote themselves to God alone more easily with an undivided heart in virginity or celibacy. This perfect continence for love of the kingdom of heaven has always been held in high esteem by the Church as a sign and stimulus of love, and as a singular source of spiritual fertility in the world” (Constitution on the Church, 42).

Ecclesiastical celibacy was a logical development of Christ’s teaching about continence (Matthew 19:10-12). The first beginnings of religious life were seen in the self-imposed practice of celibacy among men and women who wished to devote themselves to a lifetime following Christ in the practice of the evangelical counsels. Celibacy was one of the features of the earliest hermits and a requirement of the first monastic foundations under St. Pachomius (c. 290-346). Over the centuries religious celibacy has been the subject of the Church’s frequent legislation. The Second Vatican Council named chastity first among the evangelical counsels to be practiced by religious and said that “it is a special symbol of heavenly benefits, and for religious it is a most effective means of dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to the divine service and the works of the apostolate” (Decree on the Up-to-date Renewal of Religious Life, 12). (Etym. Latin caelibatus, single life, celibacy.)

CHASTITY. The virtue that moderates the desire for sexual pleasure according to the principles of faith and right reason. In married people, chastity moderates the desire in conformity with their state of life; in unmarried people who wish to marry, the desire is moderated by abstention until (or unless) they get married; in those who resolve not to marry, the desire is sacrificed entirely.

Chastity and purity, modesty and decency are comparable in that they have the basic meaning of freedom from whatever is lewd or salacious. Yet they also differ. Chastity implies an opposition to the immoral in the sense of lustful or licentious. It suggests refraining from all acts or thoughts that are not in accordance with the Church’s teaching about the use of one’s reproductive powers. It particularly stresses restraint and an avoidance of anything that might defile or make unclean the soul because the body has not been controlled in the exercise of its most imperious passion. (Etym. Latin castus, morally pure, unstained.)

 

[Aramis]

Simply put, Chastity is licit sex only. Since the only licit sex under the new covenant is that between husband and wife, Chastity restricts one to continence if unmarried, and with one’s wife alone if married.

Continence is the practice of not engaging in sexual activity. It’s a viable part of Catholic praxis in the Eastern Rites, especially during fasts and between confession and liturgy.

Celibacy is the promise and/or state of not being eligible to marry. It’s called for for all who enter the clergy as major clerics (deacon, priest, bishop); for married men, after the loss of their wife, for unmarried men, immediate. (Note many that the Eastern Churches in Union retained the practice of married men being admitted to the dIaconate and priesthood; the Ukrainian and Ruthenian churches have had married major clerics since union in the 1500’s.) It’s an honored vocation even for non-clerics, and is likewise requisite for monastics. (Note that, in the East, tradition is that a married person can enter a monastery with the spouse’s permission; if a man, the wife usually also enters a monastery. As with clerics, monastics may not contract new marriage. And monastics are called to continence as part of asceticism.)

 

[TimothyH]

As a celibate male, I think of chastity as purity. As part of Thistle’s post…

Chastity and purity, modesty and decency are comparable in that they have the basic meaning of freedom from whatever is lewd or salacious.

If celibacy relates to sexual relations with others, chastity goes further. Chastity, to me, is freedom from impure acts and impure thoughts, out of love for God, as part of what we try to do to please him.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Purity is something I have begged God for.

-Tim-

 

[Jaypeeto4]

Chastity is purity in our sexual mores and behaviours,
whether in marriage or outside of marriage.
In marriage, it means clean, god-honoring, body-respecting sexual practices,
and only with your OWN spouse.
Outside of marriage, it is abstinence and purity of thought.

I too am begging God for this virtue.
I lived my life for decades without it.

God love all of you,
Jaypeeto4
+JMJ+

 

[TimothyH]

I too am begging God for this virtue.
I lived my life for decades without it.

I know where you are at.

I spent 33 years there and have been free by the grace of God for close to 4 years.

It is possible. Don’t give up hope.

-Tim-

 

[Jaaanosik]

What is a relationship between celibacy and the natural law to procreate?

Is the natural law denied in this case? On what merit?

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

What is a relationship between celibacy and the natural law to procreate?

Is the natural law denied in this case? On what merit?

The Church teaches that the sex act is licit only within the boundary of a valid marriage. Within that setting, morality based on natural law mandates that the procreative potential of the marital act not be interfered with or hindered by artificial means or by withdrawal.

Outside the boundary of marriage, use of the sexual faculty is not licit. Natural Law doesn’t enter into it. There is no “Natural Law” requirement to procreate irrespective of one’s marital status.

 

[Jaaanosik]

The Church teaches that the sex act is licit only within the boundary of a valid marriage. Within that setting, morality based on natural law mandates that the procreative potential of the marital act not be interfered with or hindered by artificial means or by withdrawal.

Outside the boundary of marriage, use of the sexual faculty is not licit. Natural Law doesn’t enter into it. There is no “Natural Law” requirement to procreate irrespective of one’s marital status.

Well, let me rephrase. I guess the natural law says that a man is supposed to find his significant other, marry and be procreative.

The question stands. Is the natural law denied in the case of celibacy and on what merit?

 

[Nate13]

The section in the Catechism is so good, it is too long to post here -

A couple of snips (give the whole thing a read here scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#2337)

2337 Chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being. Sexuality, in which man’s belonging to the bodily and biological world is expressed, becomes personal and truly human when it is integrated into the relationship of one person to another, in the complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman.

The virtue of chastity therefore involves the integrity of the person and the integrality of the gift.

2348 All the baptized are called to chastity. The Christian has "put on Christ,"135 the model for all chastity. All Christ’s faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their particular states of life. At the moment of his Baptism, the Christian is pledged to lead his affective life in chastity.

2349 "People should cultivate [chastity] in the way that is suited to their state of life. Some profess virginity or consecrated celibacy which enables them to give themselves to God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. Others live in the way prescribed for all by the moral law, whether they are married or single."136 Married people are called to live conjugal chastity; others practice chastity in continence:

There are three forms of the virtue of chastity: the first is that of spouses, the second that of widows, and the third that of virgins. We do not praise any one of them to the exclusion of the others. . . . This is what makes for the richness of the discipline of the Church.

2350 Those who are engaged to marry are called to live chastity in continence. They should see in this time of testing a discovery of mutual respect, an apprenticeship in fidelity, and the hope of receiving one another from God. They should reserve for marriage the expressions of affection that belong to married love. They will help each other grow in chastity

Yeah I’ll reiterate this post. I always thought the Catechism was pretty clear…

 

[Nate13]

Well, let me rephrase. I guess the natural law says that a man is supposed to find his significant other, marry and be procreative.

The question stands. Is the natural law denied in the case of celibacy and on what merit?

Divine Revelation shows that is not the case. Celibacy is not a new idea by any stretch of the imagination and has been around for a long time. People are called to the priesthood and celibacy by God.

The priesthood is a marriage to the Church as the priest takes on the image of Jesus and Jesus works through him in the sacraments. The Church is the bridegroom of Christ and the priest joins himself to that goal.

Celibacy “for the sake of the kingdom of God” is not a new idea.

Matthew 19:12

King James Version (KJV)
12For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

I would also say that your argument that by natural law we are required to marry and procreate is flawed, even if Divine Revelation through scripture and sacred tradition did not show otherwise. St. Paul basically argued that celibacy was the best course for a person because it allowed them the best opportunity to set their sights on God alone and follow him alone.

The Catechism is clear though that no one pathway is better than another when it says:

There are three forms of the virtue of chastity: the first is that of spouses, the second that of widows, and the third that of virgins. We do not praise any one of them to the exclusion of the others. . . . This is what makes for the richness of the discipline of the Church.

When you look at the nuclear family you can see that everyone within has their role to play, and the same applies for the catholic family where each of us has a different calling from God that all combine to work together towards the same goal.

 

[Jaaanosik]

Nate, why would a natural law require a Divine revelation?
Marriage to the Church is not something natural as well.

It seems God’s foremost law to love takes precedence above natural law.

 

[Nate13]

Nate, why would a natural law require a Divine revelation?
Marriage to the Church is not something natural as well.

It seems God’s foremost law to love takes precedence above natural law.

I’m still trying to figure out why you think natural law says men and women have to get married. Natural law is a guide not a hammer. It says how to use something if your going to use it. It does not demand you use it.

 

[Nate13]

Nate, why would a natural law require a Divine revelation?
Marriage to the Church is not something natural as well.

It seems God’s foremost law to love takes precedence above natural law.

I’d also add that marriage is a natural calling, while the priesthood is a supernatural calling. Without acknowledgement of God’s existence, being a priest makes no sense. In that sense yes being a priest goes against what we would consider natural. If we did not know God existed through Divine Revelation, being a priest would not make any sense. God’s foremost law is love of God not love of yourself or anything on this Earth.

Maybe this will help you understand this concept if you hear the words coming from a Doctor of the Church: aquinasonline.com/Topics/natlaw.html

 

[Jaaanosik]

I’m still trying to figure out why you think natural law says men and women have to get married. Natural law is a guide not a hammer. It says how to use something if your going to use it. It does not demand you use it.

Well, self preservation and procreation are two basic instincts - natural laws.
If marriage is not required then fine.
If you reason and go against procreation it seems you are going against the natural law.

 

[Nate13]

Well, self preservation and procreation are two basic instincts - natural laws.
If marriage is not required then fine.
If you reason and go against procreation it seems you are going against the natural law.

Yeah I looked into it and you are correct, celibacy and the priesthood both go against our natural inclinations. They do so because they involve a supernatural (beyond natural) calling from God. The decision is made to put God first and our Earthly desires second. They can only succeed in performing their calling with the grace of God. Marriage also touches on the supernatural in that when a man and woman come together and create a baby, they touch eternity at that point when they become a part of God’s one eternal Creation act.

 

[Jaaanosik]

I’d also add that marriage is a natural calling, while the priesthood is a supernatural calling. Without acknowledgement of God’s existence, being a priest makes no sense. In that sense yes being a priest goes against what we would consider natural. If we did not know God existed through Divine Revelation, being a priest would not make any sense. God’s foremost law is love of God not love of yourself or anything on this Earth.

Maybe this will help you understand this concept if you hear the words coming from a Doctor of the Church: aquinasonline.com/Topics/natlaw.html

That’s a partly false statement.
Would you agree that it’s morally right to go against the natural law if we listen to God’s law?

 

[Nate13]

That’s a partly false statement.
Would you agree that it’s morally right to go against the natural law if we listen to God’s law?

God’s law includes natural law…if you wish to revamp this argument start your own thread.