Shouldn't we all want to be closer to God? How is that desire then indicative of a religious calling?

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augustinegirl

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It’s just…the signs for a vocation to religious life seem like things that we’re all called to… Don’t we all have a universal call to holiness? The signs often mention a desire to grow closer to God and talk about religious things, etc. Shouldn’t all of us want to grow closer to God and give ourselves entirely to Him even if we’re married or single? And don’t all of us feel peace at the thought of growing closer to God?

(edited for clarity)

Edit: I guess I asked because it seems that I hear of so many people who didn’t want to be a religious and then were called and had to break up with someone or something like that.
 
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@edward_george1 This is true, thanks for the reply! My question is formatted that way, however, because I’ve seen a desire to grow holy or “that you answer Jesus to the question of the desire of your heart” and that seems like something we could all do. I just don’t know how it could be a sign of a religious calling if we all have that call to holiness. Do you know what I mean?
 
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Do you want to be a religious? Then you may well be being called to religious life. Do you want a family? Then you may be being called to married life.
 
@MiserereMeiDei well I like this! Haha. But I guess I never really gave the religious life thing a shot out of fear (and now I’m in a serious relationship - just have OCD so I’m very introspective) and I mean I love to pray and be close to God so that’s the predicament.
 
I agree with you that everyone is called to grow closer to God, and that alone isn’t enough to say that you have a call to a religious vocation. BUT, at the same time it is a sign, because that desire is necessary for a religious vocation. It’s not the only sign, but it is one of the signs. Think about it: We are all called to holiness, but how many of us actually respond? Especially in modern society! So when people see that in you, of course they are going to say “Oh, you should be a nun” or “Oh, you should be a priest” because you are not like everyone else! Does that mean they’re right? Not necessarily, because they don’t know the rest of you. Your relationship with God will make you the right person for your vocation, no matter what that is.
 
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A religious calling is something beyond just a general desire to be holier or closer to God.
It’s an internal feeling of God calling you to do something specific be closer to him.
It’s also not something that comes from other people telling you that you should be a nun or a priest or whatever.
 
You can always pray and always be close to God no matter what your vocation. Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales was written, iirc, to his female cousin who was getting married. He was essentially writing a manual for how to be completely devoted to God no matter your vocation.

Religious life is one way among many that God has given us in life. But the best sign (though obviously not foolproof) of any vocation is that you want it. The converse is also true. The advantage of the religious life is the removal of those things to which we find ourselves so easily attached and those things to which we find tempting. But it is by no means the only way to unite ourselves with God.

My son is currently discerning to be a cloistered Carmelite monk. He was sure for a long time that he wanted to be a lay brother, but as time has gone on, he’s beginning to think of pursuing the priesthood…still within the order. The other sign of course is whether or not he ends up a priest or a monk. But so far, it looks like that might be his vocation, either as a priest or a layman.

My vocation…at least presently, is to be his dad, single and an electrician. When he becomes a monk, I’ll have to see what’s in store for my future. It’s all pretty exciting, honestly.
 
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