Is religious life a holier vocation than marriage?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Larquetta
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
In a way, I think I can agree with you. However, I would be careful personally to limit “more intense punishment” only to the monk or nun who breaks their vows. Certainly, with the vocation to religious life for example, great Grace is gifted for the person to grow in holiness in their call to religious life - a great gift to The Church. However, I think that great Graces are not confined to religious life and wherever The Lord may choose to grant great Graces, then much is going to be expected.
Luke Chaptere 12: "That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Click to expand...
mythbuster1 said:
and even if they repent, they will not recover all the glory they lost by their transgression.
Click to expand...
I am not sure about the above as to what The Church has to state if anything at all. Insofar as I am aware, with a good Confession, the person is restored to that place as if they had never sinned in the first place. That might be theologically contested, I would not know. It sounds reasonable to me knowing something anyway of the Infinite Mercy of God.
 
Last edited:
Confession restores sanctifying grace, which is the life of the soul. It does not, by itself, remove all temporal punishments or necessarily restore all rewards. Those who repent will be saved, but that doesn’t mean their works won’t be burned up. Anyway, my purpose was to compare the celibate state to the married state: the celibate state is greater for the one who perseveres, but it is better to be married faithfully than to take a vow of celibacy and violate it.
 
Hello again @mythbuster1!
Again, I tend to agree with your understandings.
The celibate state is superior to the non celibate state. Religious Life is the way of perfection.
A good Confession fully restores Sanctifying Grace returning the person to that state before the sin, while some temporal punishment may remain see Indulgences and Temporal Punishment (Vatican website)
I tend to think of ‘temporal punishment’ not as something God inflicts on one because of the sin or sins, rather it is a state (only word I can think of) that is intrinsic to the sin or sins itself. For example only, if I choose mortal sin I am at once choosing Hell, with lesser sins there is intrinsic to that sin or sins a suffering (only word I can think of) intrinsic to that sin or sins. We call the aforementioned “temporal punishment”, which The Church teaches can be removed by indulgence and see Vatican Website HERE.

Certainly, as St Paul says, that it is better to marry than to “burn with lust” and, for example, betray a vow of celibacy.

I don’t think of any sort of level of glory in Heaven often at all, if that even : …
…Where any glory is concerned in Heaven, my tuppence is that it is dependant on the holiness attained by the person on earth no matter their personal vocation. Also, in Heaven we will not be as one might be here on earth and notice if another has more than oneself. In Heaven every soul will have attained (probably even often through Purgatory for a time) that level of perfection God intended. Sort of a thimble is full when it is full and a jug is full when it is full - paraphrasing St Therese of Lisieux. In Heaven we will fully rejoice in the glory of each other as it were eternally giving Glory to God in Joy and thanksgiving. Full of Joy, delighted, that The Lord is praised and glorified by so many.

Some things are still debated by theology, but I stick to what The Church has said, if She has spoken on a subject.

The following quote is sometimes attributed to St Augustine but possibly more accurately the author is anonymous: “In essentials unity, in non essentials, liberty (or diversity) and in all things Love”.
It does sound like something that could come from St Augustine.

Edit: To come to some sort of grips as to what can remit temporal punishment, best to read the link above from the Vatican website. It is not a really long read, but does bear careful reflection I thought.
It is good to try to get a grip on what The Church does state on a subject for our own benefit and to be able to explain our Faith, what we believe.
 
Last edited:
Since celibacy is incredibly and titanically complex cross, I think dedicated family Christians are more joyful-holiness.
Especially in the modern world when the population of Christian countries is declining
 
Hi Athanasiy
I don’t think that everyone would experience celibacy as “incredibly and titanically complex cross” - while some might. I was married for 15 years (annulled) and have lived alone probably 35 years with celibate chastity. It was a struggle at first.

Similarly, I think that dedicated Christian family life can indeed be joyful and holy - but not in every instance without exceptions. Although, I would think that mutual dedication to Christian life has a good chance of achieving that Joy and holiness intended for Marriage.

I am in Australia and because of promiscuity pressing in culturally on all sides almost, celibacy is definitely ‘swimming against the tide’ for the single celibate person. Some can find that difficult - but again, not always. Single life living celibate here in Australia is probably rather rare, especially outside of some form of institution/community.
 
It seems to me that the trend of modern life forms and programs people for self sufficiency in comfortable solitude.
Personal comfort, convenience, personal , unhindered happiness and " only me, me, me".
As a result, there is a lot of self-centeredness and self-worship.
No, it seems to me that Christians should oppose this world not by more correct version of living alone, but they need to create more families, and give birth, raise children.

I still think that in many former Christian countries, the Muslim population in the near future will constitute the majority and will replace with a new religion.
They do not integrate, but on the contrary become more religious Muslims of Western countries.
It is better to devote more energy to the practical practice of the culture of life, rather than constantly refrain from our constantly impulsive potential.
 
Last edited:
Athanasiy said:
It seems to me that the trend of modern life forms and programs people for self sufficiency in comfortable solitude.
Personal comfort, convenience, personal , unhindered happiness and " only me, me, me".
Click to expand...
Mmmm …interesting…Again, it might apply for some, while on the other hand some give themselves and their time freely to voluntary work of some kind and other commitments of social value - and live simply even frugally, donating freely to charity . I have known quite a few such persons.

It could happen of course, that Christian countries (and/or individuals) might/could/possibly/perhaps loose their Christianity and Christian values. We do not know the future and not knowing the future, there could be ahead of us in time a great revival of Christianity.
It is all in the Hands of Divine Providence. Deo Gratius.

The past is behind us, the future we cannot know. All we have is this moment, this Eternal Now, which can speak to our potential future, but not dictate it.

I have a totally different and hopeful all embracing perspective on the big picture perhaps. I do think that the greater majority do desire even actively try to live good and productive lives … some moreso than others and of no account, no matter if single, married with children or not, i.e. their particular path and role in life. No matter faith profession or not.
John Chapter 16, Jesus has told us:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Click to expand...
Deo Gratius Laudate Dominum.
 
Last edited:
My two cents: I think that the language we use can confuse the issue. Religious life is THE way of perfection i.e. (vows of) poverty, chastity and obedience in community. No matter the particular vocation outside of religious life, to live a holy life one will always have aspects of poverty, chastity and obedience lived in community (i.e. lived with another or others i.e. unselfishly) - there is no other route to holiness. It is the Way of Jesus, who is “the way, the truth and the life”. Jesus was poor, chaste and obedient and He lived unselfishly in community.

The witness here on earth of the route or way to holiness is religious life and a witness to all the other vocations. I think it important that RL is seen to be.

To say that “religious life is a holier vocation than marriage” infers that those who live that life faithfully would be holier than those in any other vocation. We know that is not so.
 
Well said! :+1:t3:
Athanasiy said:
No, it seems to me that Christians should oppose this world not by more correct version of living alone, but they need to create more families, and give birth, raise children
Click to expand...
My take 😆…How to oppose the values and problems, evil, in this world wherever they exist is dependant on one’s gifts (includes vocational call) and an opportunity presenting itself. It is not a work of the person, it is The Work of God through them in service of Him and His Will.
All is in God’s Hands, His Divine Providence.
Laudate Dominum, Deo Gratius

As a Catholic Christian, I journey along dependant on Divine Providence and what our theology calls the Direct or Active, Perfect, and also the Permissive, Will of God, both under the ‘umbrella’ of “God’s Will”. CCC -scroll down to “God Carries out His Plan: Divine Providence”

Far more would be called by God to the Sacrament of Marriage than to any other vocation. To be called elsewhere including the single chaste celibate state in the Laity and for the good of The Kingdom is the prerogative of The Lord who does whatever He Wills. John Chapter 3: " The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Psalm 115 “Why should the nations say “Where is their God?” Our God is in Heaven and does whatever He Pleases.”
 
Last edited:
I think that for a revival to take place, at least a human resource is needed.
With unborn people, revival is impossible.
I agree that the West does not have a deficit in human resources because everyone wants to emigrate there like bees for honey.
But instead of making a compromise with the spirit of the times and gradually loose the true paradigm of spirituality(by promoting pro-Homosexuality teachings and so on) for Christians it’s better returning to the old and good traditional family values.
 
Last edited:
We are all called to celibacy at certain periods of our lives, but just not many can bear such a cross without some bodily sinful weaknesses
 
Last edited:
It’s unfortunate that many of us consider greatness by our own human standards. Little do those who are virgins or who have never been married know… Marriage is crucifixion. It’s not all fun and games or a perpetual “festival in bed.” What is more, is that we seem to have forgotten that most of the Apostles and disciples of the Lord Himself were, in fact, married. Even most of the early Church Bishops, Priests and deacons.

Our Lord and Saint Paul only said what they did because they knew it would be easier for people to enter the kingdom if they were not married because of the “distraction” of marriage; it is a distraction from seeking the Kingdom with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength. While not impossible, it is more difficult.

We also tend to think that becoming a Bishop, Priest, Deacon or religious automatically grants us to receive a higher degree of glory, while that is not the case. Our degree of glory is entirely dependent upon grace, our willful renunciation of ourselves and our love of God and neighbor…

What is more, have you ever tried to pray while crying and hungry children are hanging on you? I’d say that is a cross in and of itself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for these trials… if you can be still and silent in the midst of chaos, the Kingdom is not far for you.
 
Family life in Nescafe - Culture(coffee, sugar, milk - all at once, and quickly) look very heavy.
People want to have everything at once and quickly - a house, a car, income, confidence in the future.
You have no idea what marriage is, somewhere, for example, in a conservative rural community in many third world countries.
As a child, I witnessed such an environment.
In addition to taking care of her husband and raising children, women have huge households on their shoulders. (herds of cattle, and agricultural gardens to which the end is not seen)
Low incomes, lack of stability and confidence in the future, daily worries and tasks.
These families went through the hard times of the late Soviet and post-Soviet times.
But there were times when, instead of money, there were coupons, and people were given what they needed in their hands in limited quantities.
There were times when husbands had to work in two jobs to survive, and the wives sold home-made vegetables and fruits to dress and shoe children.
Today these young grandparents look at the younger generation and wonder, - how can you grumble with your abundance and ease of life?
Indeed, we will never understand that older generation, and we will never be in their shoes.
That generation understood the real formula of “love” and “sacrifice” called “daily work” better than anyone else.
 
Last edited:
BarbTh said:
I don’t think that everyone would experience celibacy as “incredibly and titanically complex cross” - while some might.
Click to expand...
Yeah, some people cope better than others. I’m fine with it myself at this point in my life. I’m getting old and have had more than enough “life experiences” in that regard, some of which were not great or went from positive to negative over time. In the end, I found that other things in life were much more important than “six minutes of pleasure”, as LL Cool J sang. Now if you’d asked me at age 20, celibacy would have been a huge and complex issue for me then, even though my level of desire was sort of average to medium low.
 
Last edited:
It is doctrine that celibacy is objectively superior that marriage. It most closely resembles Christ’s life and allows one to dedicate their whole being to Him. However, a particular married person might be a holier person than a lukewarm religious. Everyone is called to holiness. There are degrees of holiness as well and there is a special reward for those who chose celibacy for the Kingdom, and religious life is very well suited to a growth in holiness. But it’s hard to speak about individuals, because there are even religious who are (sadly) in hell, and there are married people who are Saints. We all need to just do God’s will and strive to be holy.
 
My own journey is similar. I am now 75years of age and rather than getting old, I got there!
 
Genesis315 said:
The religious state is closer to the Heavenly state, since there is no marriage in Heaven.
Click to expand...
Heaven - you mean the place where the Bridegroom will take us to the “Bridal Chamber”? 😉
 
Last edited:
lol other than that one. And that’s why the Sadducees were so sad, you see.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top