Married/Single

[iwillrisenow]

This must be a classic topic but…

Anyone out there discerning married life, found their vocation in single life, or seeking the grace to accept whatever their vocation may be?

I have never felt a particular vocation to stay single, but don’t feel spiritually ‘spruced up’ enough yet for married life (I am just in the process of becoming Catholic, for one). I know it will all happen in His timing, but sometimes I look at my life experience (heading towards that ‘settled’ place) and the calendar years since my birthday and start to wonder.

I won’t go into too many details, but I am in a relationship with someone who is not a Christian (though in some ways my conversion may be connected…long story).

I just want to relax into His will. Thoughts? Signs to look out for? Tips?

 

[Cloisters]

This must be a classic topic but…

Anyone out there discerning married life, found their vocation in single life, or seeking the grace to accept whatever their vocation may be?

I have never felt a particular vocation to stay single, but don’t feel spiritually ‘spruced up’ enough yet for married life (I am just in the process of becoming Catholic, for one). I know it will all happen in His timing, but sometimes I look at my life experience (heading towards that ‘settled’ place) and the calendar years since my birthday and start to wonder.

I won’t go into too many details, but I am in a relationship with someone who is not a Christian (though in some ways my conversion may be connected…long story).

I just want to relax into His will. Thoughts? Signs to look out for? Tips?

The Holy Ghost works on attraction.

One can discern religious life while entering the Church, but canon law states that you can’t enter until you’ve been Catholic for 3 years. This is a relatively recent development–the three year bit–and as foundress of an emerging religious community, I learned it straight from our canonist.

Do you feel as if you’re cut from the same cloth with this person? Do you share any intuition with them?

Don’t worry about how many years you’ve got to serve Him. It’s His service, and your contribution is entirely up to Him.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[brigid12]

This must be a classic topic but…

Anyone out there discerning married life, found their vocation in single life, or seeking the grace to accept whatever their vocation may be?

I have never felt a particular vocation to stay single, but don’t feel spiritually ‘spruced up’ enough yet for married life (I am just in the process of becoming Catholic, for one). I know it will all happen in His timing, but sometimes I look at my life experience (heading towards that ‘settled’ place) and the calendar years since my birthday and start to wonder.

I won’t go into too many details, but I am in a relationship with someone who is not a Christian (though in some ways my conversion may be connected…long story).

I just want to relax into His will. Thoughts? Signs to look out for? Tips?

I’m not in a relationship, but feel very much the same way and religious communities are out due to my health and age. I will be interested to read the postings here.

 

[kyria]

I am waiting for the Lord. I was married once before, and it was a terrible marriage. The Lord fought for me, so I figure, he gets to keep me. No man on earth could match the Lord, and no man on earth would have fought for me like he did, so I’d only be taking second best if I married again. I would feel like I was betraying my true husband, does that make sense? Not unless God willed me. He did that once with Confession. As long as he doesn’t will me to go back to my nasty ex husband, I am leaving myself in his hands, because he knows best, and I couldn’t pick a good husband myself, as I failed the first time. My first husband betrayed me, but the Lord wouldn’t.

Also I feel it is important for those who want to be married, to realise that it isn’t always a walk in the park. Being married to a non Catholic for some is a very hard road to travel. Often ok until kids come along. I feel where children are involved, parents should be of the one belief and practice. Sometimes a Catholic spouse can convert the other, sometimes the non Catholic spouse is fine with all things Catholic with the children, but sometimes the Catholic spouse has a lonely road to travel as a parent when the other spouse is not on board to back them up nor assist in raising children in the Faith. And there is finding a Catholic spouse and there is finding a spouse who is really Catholic.

This is why I believe people should leave it in God’s hands. Because the majority of people I know wished they’d been more discerning before they got married.

I reckon the priests have the luckiest position of all. Just some don’t always realise it.

What helped me was this vocations prayer as I prayed it placing myself in God’s hands with regard to what to do. As I have this Catholic colleague who wants to date me because we are both Catholic??? and I am glad I prayed that prayer because I went through a lonely patch and considered this guy might be the best I would find. Erma glad I woke up to myself. For me the best to find is the Lord.

All the best,