Is the single vocation always imply a consecrated life?

[pilgrimR]

I have been praying for my children that each know and follow their vocation from God. I use the term “vocation” to roughly equate to the single life or the married life. Those with a vocation to the single life must decide whether they are called to the ordained priesthood or not. Aside from that, you may be called to other consecrated life (sister or brother).

Does the Church also recognize a calling to the single vocation that is not priest, a nun or a “brother”? I don’t recall ever hearing or reading about this. I observe that there is a growing population of persons in this status though.

Can anyone point me to any Church teachings about this, perhaps in the Catechism or another diocument?

Got bless!

 

[markadm]

I can’t point you to references right now, because I have none to hand, but I am pretty sure the answer is yes. Everyone has a vocation, some are called to be married, some are not. Some are called to the clerical or religious life, some are not. Some must be called to the “single” state (actually the Church’s teachings on ministry to homosexuals confirms this).

Anyway, sorry no references, but hope this helps a bit. Someone else come and back me up! ]

 

[pilgrimR]

I agree that everyone has vocation. What I’m wondering is, does everyone’s vocation involve vows?

In one sense, I can see that it would. All baptized persons are called to conform to the image of Christ. That would mean giving one’s life away to another, as Jesus did for his bride. If a person has not professed vows in marriage, ordained priesthood or other religious life, have they really given themselves away in the image of Christ?

Thanks!

 

[markadm]

I agree that everyone has vocation. What I’m wondering is, does everyone’s vocation involve vows?

Short answer surely is no/yes. No for formal vows. But yes, as in a continued interior conversion just like you’re saying.

 

[parvenu74]

I agree that everyone has vocation. What I’m wondering is, does everyone’s vocation involve vows?

By definition, a vocation is a calling from God to do a particular thing so yes, we all have vocations. As parents, our vocation is to raise our children such that they are capable of answering the highest and most demanding vocations for which God might call them.

But is “the single life” really a vocation? I say no, not really. Let’s keep in mind that not being married and not being in a religious community doesn’t preclude us one from becoming a tertiary of a religious order (which enables a person to reap the graces of state of being a religious without taking permanent vows or living in a community).

And while you might make the argument that a religious tertiary is “consecrated,” here’s another possibility: God might call someone “to the single life” is so that they can devote themselves to a particular secular service, such as being a missionary doctor, or a Catholic school teacher, or other such Charitable service which pays little more than a pittance but is essential nonetheless.

Does everyone have a vocation? Yes.
Do all non-married have to take some sort of vow of consecration? No.
Are the vows of a tertiary considered a “consecration” per se? I have no clue.
Are we all called to know, love, and serve God in this life? Absolutely!

 

[TantumErgo90]

Let us remember that perpetual celibacy is a higher calling. Now, is the single life a vocation? Really it is not. If one is single because he cannot find a spouse, doesn’t want children, or is too lazy: that can hardly be called a vocation. But if one is single because they want to be celibate for the great glory of God, they yes, I believe that is a vocation, it is a sacrifice. But that state is NOT advisable if one doesn’t strongly feel called to it. Now there are those who have impediments that would not allow them to get married or enter religious life, then they must remain celibate. So for them it is what is required of them, but they can enter a third order, take a vow of celibacy, or if they offer their sufferings to God and live out their state in life, that could be a vocation. But for most the Single State in the World is but a temporary state in life where one finds their vocation. Remember, what ever your state of life is, you must live it in accordance with the teachings of Holy Mother Church.

 

[IrishAm]

Interesting. We had this discussion recently with our pastor while on a pilgrimage. He said there is indeed a vocation of a Holy Single Life both within and without those circumstances where one takes vows. He noted that he often includes those who have that vocation in his prayers because it can be a difficult committment to discern and to keep. For those not taking vows, it is often a vocation that requires a great deal of discernment, he added, because people keep thinking they are “going to get married some day,” until they realize God’s calling for them is otherwise.

 

[TantumErgo90]

The life that I’m living now is not my vocation. I am single and I am a student. If one has a vocation to the Single State in the World, they need to offer it as a sacrifice to God and live it out. Their is a difference from a normal single life and a vocation to the single state. They are different, but many people think that it is the same thing. Which is wrong. The latter needs to be totally focused on God, living perfect chastity, and serve in the Church. The first is a transitional time before someone finds their vocation. This is from my understanding, please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Genesis315]

I have a friend with just such a calling. He works as a music director at a Church, but his primary vocation is composing beautiful music for use in church. Neither marriage nor the religious life would be conducive to the time and energy he puts into his composing. So he serves God in the secular single life.

 

[parvenu74]

He noted that he often includes those who have that vocation in his prayers because it can be a difficult commitment to discern and to keep.

Especially without any sacramental graces of state!

 

[TantumErgo90]

I have a friend with just such a calling. He works as a music director at a Church, but his primary vocation is composing beautiful music for use in church. Neither marriage nor the religious life would be conducive to the time and energy he puts into his composing. So he serves God in the secular single life.

That is a vocation in the broad sense. In the sense that a vocation is to the priesthood, religious life, marriage, and Holy single life in the world. These are the “vocations”. Holy Single Life in the World, is different than that of someone that can never find a spouse. Single life in the world is not advisable, unless one feels strongly pulled to it. It involves a great deal of loneliness and one offers those sufferings to God. Vocations help our personal sanctity. Someone living in the world, not married, not a priest or religious, and not focus on God, that is not a vocation. Someone Single can become a third order member, work in the church, or offer their life to God, that is how single life in the world can be a vocation. Someone with impediments to Religious life or marriage is required to live in the single state, it is not a vocation for them, it is required. They can make it a vocation if they offer their sacrifices and sufferings that accompany the single state to God, if they feel called join a third order, that is the vocation of the holy single life. But a person does not have a vocation in the official sense to anything else than Priesthood, Religious Life, Marriage, or Holy Single Life in the World. Please correct me if I’m saying anything heretical.

 

[pilgrimR]

But a person does not have a vocation in the official sense to anything else than Priesthood, Religious Life, Marriage, or Holy Single Life in the World. Please correct me if I’m saying anything heretical.

I think you are probably correct, but I don’t know if I have seen anything “official” from the Church about the Holy Single Life. Are there canonized saints that can be categorized that way?

Two of my grown children are currently single. Both are strong in their Catholic faith. I think they are in the transitional state where they would entertain marriage if the right person came along. But in both cases, there are no prospective right persons at the moment!

I would like to suggest to them again to seek God in regards to their calling in this area and to consider the Religious Life or a Holy Single life, but haven’t found the right opportunity or even the right words to do it. Before I suggested the Holy Single state, though, I want to be sure it is a valid vocation in the eyes of Church.

Thank you all for the great discussion so far!