Is being single a vocation or a state in life?

[Lepanto]

Lately, I’ve read some Catholic pop literature referring to singlehood as a vocation. I’ve also heard priests and even a bishop call it that.

I don’t think this is accurate from a Catholic viewpoint. Singlehood is a state in life, not a vocation (that’s not a knock on single people).

 

[Norseman82]

I voted “state in life”. There are references from the cathechism that I can gather together later, plus I also believe that since “vocation” implies permanence (on this earth), being single fails that because unless someone takes some sort of binding vow, canon law does not prevent a single person from getting married or entering religious life (if other canonical requirements are met), whereas there are impediments that prevent a priest from marrying or a married man to be ordained a priest (in the Latin Rite, with some “pastoral provision” exceptions for clergy from other denominations that convert).

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

It can be both at the same time (and that option added above). It overlaps for many people if you look closer at the personal nature of it.

 

[m134e5]

It is a vocation. It is also a state in life that may change, until people decide that is their vocation. There are lay people who take personal vows of celibacy. They devote themselves to their jobs and to their interior life, and do a lot of good for their field of work, and for the Church.

 

[Lepanto]

It can be both at the same time (and that option added above). It overlaps for many people if you look closer at the personal nature of it.

I reviewed the catechism where it talks about vocations. No mention of singlehood as a vocation. Therefore, it must be a state of life.

Please correct me if I missed something.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

“Vocation” is taken from “Vocatio” in Latin and means “calling”. For many years past the word has been restricted to the priesthood or religious life in The church…and this has been recognized as too restrictive to encompass its full meaning. If one experiences a call to serve God in a certain way or in a certain state in life, then it is a vocation in the true sense of the word. Our prime vocation as laity (and religious) is our Baptism and from that can come a call within the call to a certain state in life which is a vocation and can be to the single state.
The word “God” incidentally is translated as “the Called and The Calling”…

Both quotes taken from the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane (Australia) website…………

bne.catholic.net.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=10725
**‘State of Life’ Vocations **

The Church recognises that each vocation is equal in the sense that no vocation is bigger or better then any other.

However, because God calls you to a particular vocation – whether marriage, priesthood, religious life or single life – that vocation is the best one for you, and the one that will ‘fit’ you best and give you the most fulfilment in life.
Single Life:
A person called to single life comes to believe that remaining single is the true and right way to faithfully live his or her baptismal call.

Single men and women embrace the gift of celibacy while living alone, with a family or with others who are single. They are able to devote time and energy in service of others, and may serve in their parish community or in the Church in a number of different ways.

In each vocation, the person lives a life of faith and prayer to continually grow in relationship with God.

bne.catholic.net.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=10655
The word “vocation” comes from another Latin word vocatio**, which means ‘a calling’.
There are couple of ways of describing our vocation or vocations. Our first call, our first vocation in life is given at baptism** – the call to holiness! Does this mean that we kneel down all day and pray? I don’t think this is the case. My understanding of holiness is to dedicate our lives to God and become all that God has created us to be; people who share our gifts and talents for the common good of all society. This is where we can understand the word “vocation” when people relate it the professions of teaching, policing, medicine or any job that we might do. What we do can make a difference in the communities of which we are a part.
The next idea of ‘Vocation’ could be described as our ‘State of Life’ vocation. These are vocations by which the individual having discerned with a community (family, parish etc…) look to dedicate and commit their lives for.

The Catholic Church recognises and names these vocations

as: Marriage, Ordained Ministry (Priesthood, Permanent Deaconate), Religious Life and Single Life.

 

[Lepanto]

I read the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s website. With all due respect, the material on vocations is highly suspect because nowhere on it are magisterial documents cited.

The text appears to be nothing more than the author’s opinion or understanding. Merely being on an archdiocesan website does not make it authoritative. It may make single people feel good, but that’s about all.

Again, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the “sure norm” which is authoritative and magisterial, does not mention a singlehood vocation. (Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.)

If there is a contradiction or discrepancy between a website and the CCC, the website loses.

By the way, I write this as a single man.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I read the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s website. With all due respect, the material on vocations is highly suspect because nowhere on it are magisterial documents cited.

The text appears to be nothing more than the author’s opinion or understanding. Merely being on an archdiocesan website does not make it authoritative. It may make single people feel good, but that’s about all.

Again, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the “sure norm” which is authoritative and magisterial, does not mention a singlehood vocation. (Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.)

If there is a contradiction or discrepancy between a website and the CCC, the website loses.

By the way, I write this as a single man.

Hi Lepanto…I think you may have a limited concept/understanding of what The Church means by “vocation” . There is no need to use the term “single vocation” or “singlehood vocation”…it is clear in the Catechism that “vocation” is not restricted to the priesthood, religious life… and marriage. The term used in the CCC “Vocation of The Laity” says it all including the lay single state which is implied since it is not clearly excluded from the term “Vocation of The Laity”.

Blessings - Barb

ccc.scborromeo.org.master.com/texis/master/search/?sufs=0&q=vocation&xsubmit=Search&s=SS

1 through 10 of 53 matching documents, best matches first. sort by date Results byage: 1 2 3 4 5 6

 

[BarbaraTherese]

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_30121988_christifideles-laici_en.html

POST-SYNODAL

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI
OF
HIS HOLINESS
JOHN PAUL II
ON THE VOCATION AND THE MISSION
OF THE LAY FAITHFUL

IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD

The Various Vocations in the Lay State
…………………Along the same line the Second Vatican Council states: “This lay spirituality should take its particular character from the circumstances of one’s state in life (married and familylife, celibacy, widowhood), from one’s state of health and from one’s professional and social activity. All should not cease to develop earnestly the qualities and talents bestowed on them in accord with these conditions of life and should make use of the gifts which they have received from the Holy Spirit”(208)……………

It is clear that celibacy is the single state since those who are single are called to the celibate state. If we still disagree then possibly we will need to agree to disagree …or simply go around in circles disagreeing as our personal opinion.

Just as an aside…The Archbishop of Brisbane and the diocese itself is a highly respected and loyal Catholic diocese and I am sure His Grace would allow anything contrary to Church Teaching on his website:
bne.catholic.net.au/synod/profile/curia/keypos.htm
Undoubtedly, if one wanted to contest what does appear on the website, if one contacted the Brisbane Vocations Director asking him/her to cite Church Documents, it would be done.

Blessings - Barb

 

[BarbaraTherese]

[vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_.../vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html/)
DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH
LUMEN GENTIUM
SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON NOVEMBER 21, 1964

Likewise, the holiness of the Church is fostered in a special way by the observance of the counsels proposed in the Gospel by Our Lord to His disciples.(13*)

An eminent position among these is held by virginity or the celibate state.(

1. This is a precious gift of divine grace given by the Father to certain souls,(232) whereby they may devote themselves to God alone the more easily, due to an undivided heart. (14*) This perfect continency, out of desire for the kingdom of heaven, has always been held in particular honor in the Church.

The reason for this was and is that perfect continency for the love of God is an incentive to charity, and is certainly a particular source of spiritual fecundity in the world

.

…note it does not state “*consecrated *virginity / celibacy”…and does state that virginity or celibacy is gifted and chosen “for the love of God”. Hence there is the single celibate state which is purely accidental and that which is clearly chosen and gifted for the love of God.

 

[m134e5]

Again, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the “sure norm” which is authoritative and magisterial, does not mention a singlehood vocation. (Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.)

A vocation is something God calls you to- whatever that may be- and everyone has one. People often also have more than one. For example, a sister may also be a teacher- those are two different vocations- or callings- and many women are called to both. There are many things the Catechism doesn’t mention- that doesn’t mean they should be discredited- the Catechism can’t mention everything. The lay single vocation is one that is largely underappreciated- but it does exist. Some people just aren’t called to any of the more common vocations. EVERYONE has a vocation. Most people are called to marriage. Some people are called to the priesthood or to the consecrated life. There are also some who are called to be single lay men and women. They don’t need someone to set them up on dates. They don’t need people to put them in contact with various dioceses or religious orders- they are doing what they are called to do- to live the life as a lay man or woman in the world, having a job, and growing in holiness.

 

[Red_Meg]

Numerary and Associate members of Opus Dei have a vocation to celibacy/single life. It is most definitely a vocation (i.e. a clear, specific calling from God) and in the case of Opus Dei, it involves no vows, consecration or change of state to the religious life.

We normally refer to it as “apostolic celibacy,” just to clarify the point that one is called to celibacy for reasons of drawing people closer to God, not just to have more free time to hit the bars and go to the movies.

I think my friends who are numeraries would (rightly) be a bit upset at the suggestion that they don’t have a vocation.

Margaret

 

[Genesis315]

I’ve had this discussion with friends before and we could not find any magisterial texts saying the single life is a vocation–and we’re pretty good at scouring magisterial texts–so, if someone can find something, please post it.

Here’s what I don’t understand, if you decide to remain celibate, why not join a community and take on the yoke of holy obedience?

 

[Red_Meg]

I’ve had this discussion with friends before and we could not find any magisterial texts saying the single life is a vocation–and we’re pretty good at scouring magisterial texts–so, if someone can find something, please post it.

I don’t know if I can come up with such a text, per se, but there is simply the fact that Opus Dei is recognized by the Church, and that there is a specific vocation to apostolic celibacy within Opus Dei.

I’m not arguing that all unmarried people have a “vocation to the single life,” simply that such a vocation can and does exist in various forms within the Church.

Here’s what I don’t understand, if you decide to remain celibate, why not join a community and take on the yoke of holy obedience?

Because not everyone has a vocation to vowed or consecrated religious life. Again, I don’t mean to beat you over the head with the Opus Dei thing, but since that’s what I’m familiar with, that’s where I’m going to point you-- this article goes into the nature of the vocation a bit.

Margaret

 

[Genesis315]

I don’t know if I can come up with such a text, per se, but there is simply the fact that Opus Dei is recognized by the Church, and that there is a specific vocation to apostolic celibacy within Opus Dei.

I’m not arguing that all unmarried people have a “vocation to the single life,” simply that such a vocation can and does exist in various forms within the Church.

Because not everyone has a vocation to vowed or consecrated religious life. Again, I don’t mean to beat you over the head with the Opus Dei thing, but since that’s what I’m familiar with, that’s where I’m going to point you-- this article goes into the nature of the vocation a bit.

Margaret

But Opus Dei itself is somewhat of an order–a community that has rules.
from the article:

Numerary members of Opus Dei remain celibate to give themselves body and soul to God for the sake of the apostolate. In this way, they are fully available to carry out tasks of formation and direction within Opus Dei. Most hold professional jobs outside the centers of Opus Dei. If their services are needed to work in a professional capacity as full-time directors of Opus Dei, all are willing to give up the practice of their professions as engineers, business people, lawyers, etc. In order to be more available and to facilitate their formation, ordinarily the numerary members live together as a family in centers of Opus Dei, although individuals may live elsewhere if their professional work requires this.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I’ve had this discussion with friends before and we could not find any magisterial texts saying the single life is a vocation–and we’re pretty good at scouring magisterial texts–so, if someone can find something, please post it.

Here’s what I don’t understand, if you decide to remain celibate, why not join a community and take on the yoke of holy obedience?

We are all under the yoke of obedience (through our baptism) to Christ and His Church. The reason those called to the single life do not enter the priesthood or the religious life is simply because God has not called them to these states.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p4.htm#930
932 In the Church, which is like the sacrament- the sign and instrument - of God’s own life, the consecrated life is seen as a special sign of the mystery of redemption. To follow and imitate Christ more nearly and to manifest more clearly his self- emptying is to be more deeply present to one’s contemporaries, in the heart of Christ. For those who are on this “narrower” path encourage their brethren by their example, and bear striking witness "that the world cannot be transfigured and offered to God without the spirit of the beatitudes."477
933 Whether their witness is public, as in the religious state, or less public,

or even secret,

Christ’s coming remains for all those consecrated both the origin and rising sun of their life:
For the People of God has here no lasting city, . . . [and this state] reveals more clearly to all believers the heavenly goods which are already present in this age, witnessing to the new and eternal life which we have acquired through the redemptive work of Christ and preluding our future resurrection and the glory of the heavenly kingdom.478

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb73.htm

The Vocation to Continence in This Earthly LifePope John Paul II**GENERAL AUDIENCE OF WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH
**

This term concerns the physical defects which render procreation in marriage impossible. These defects explain the first two categories, when Jesus spoke of both congenital defects: "eunuchs who have been so from birth" (Mt 19:11), and of acquired defects caused by human intervention: “There are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men” (Mt 19:12). In both cases it is a state of compulsion, and therefore not voluntary.

If Christ in his comparison then spoke of those “who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:12), as of a third category, undoubtedly he made this distinction to indicate still further its voluntary and supernatural character. It is voluntary, because those pertaining to this category “have made themselves eunuchs,” and it is supernatural, because they have done so “for the kingdom of heaven.”

And for something on the single life as a vocation with an Imprimatur…

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/Single.asp

**RENEWING THE CHURCH **
AND
THE VOCATION TO THE SINGLE LIFE

Nihil obstat**:** Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, September 21, 1998
Imprimatur: **†**Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 23, 1998.
The Nihil obstat and Imprimatur are a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I think there is considerable and very real confusion in The Church amongst lay people in the main as to whether the single state is a vocation and call from God, or whether it is not…despite the many mostly indirect references in Church Documents that it is indeed a vocation. For the sake of The Faithful I think we do need some sort of Papal Document that will clearly state the Church’s position and not using indirect language.

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb73.htm

The Vocation to Continence in This Earthly Life
Pope John Paul II
GENERAL AUDIENCE OF WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH

The above document is of course a statement that the single life is a vocation…but still the language is indirect, calling the state “continence”, which of course the single state is. Other documents call the single state “celibacy” which of course it is, but this is still indirect language. I cannot insight why this is so, since it is very generally accepted throughout The Church that the single life can indeed be a vocation alongside the priesthood, religious life and marriage…even a quick perusal of the internet reveals that.
The other thing I think needs to be clearly stated is that as priesthood, religious life or marriage are chosen states and as one’s vocation and call, so the single state (contenancy or celibacy) needs to be chosen as a vocation and call from God for the Love of God and the sake of The Kingdom. To be a vocation, it needs to be experienced as a vocation or call and responded to as such.

Blessings - Barb

 

[catherine_m]

I voted “state in life” - but for me, it’s a cross! :crying: :crying: :crying:

 

[mschrank]

If it is the result of a conscious commitment with permanent intent, then yes it is a vocation.

If it is just because you either have not found someone for whatever reason, or do not feel drawn to religious life, then it is not.



Seems kinda simple to me.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I voted “state in life” - but for me, it’s a cross! :crying: :crying: :crying:

Sometimes one’s vocation can be a real cross and over a long period and thank you, Catherine, for this reminder:crying: The following post from mschrank puts it extremely well and very simply…

mschrank
If it is the result of a conscious commitment with permanent intent, then yes it is a vocation.

If it is just because you either have not found someone for whatever reason, or do not feel drawn to religious life, then it is not.

Very well said and quite clearly and concisely…