Single Vocation?

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yes, third orders are vocations

what about becoming a permanent deacon? that could also be an option
Being a deacon would be something I would find interesting, but don’t you have to get a bachelor’s degree in theology to become one?
I cannot diagnose you, I can only speculate. But in your posts you have described a variety of issues that suggest ASD. Always wanting to do what is “right” is among them.

But because you have inquired about your various issues here at CAF, I would truly suggest being tested and receiving the appropriate professional advice, which could make your life so much easier.
It is entirely possible, but I’m not too sure. If I was on the spectrum I would most likely have Aspergers or another milder form.
 
Being a deacon would be something I would find interesting, but don’t you have to get a bachelor’s degree in theology to become one?

It is entirely possible, but I’m not too sure. If I was on the spectrum I would most likely have Aspergers or another milder form.
It’s all known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now. They’ve done away with the micro-titles.

My eldest son and I were diagnosed with it in 2002.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
It’s called layman. There is a single branch and a married branch!

Layman is the road towards all the other vocations that are either concurrent with it or come after it.

Layman is the most important vocation. Seek training in it before you seek training in anything else.
 
Auto-correct strikes again! Poor guy. 😃

Joke aside, this is a very good post. At 18, things always seem bigger and more problematic than they really are. Time, experience, and growing in the Faith can change a lot of things. 🙂
No, that was not a mistake or misspelling. I used that particular title because of his tendency to be preoccupied with self and often over dramatic 'essays." that he often post. Perhaps I am uncharitable, but after a while…you know…sigh.
 
No, that was not a mistake or misspelling. I used that particular title because of his tendency to be preoccupied with self and often over dramatic 'essays." that he often post. Perhaps I am uncharitable, but after a while…you know…sigh.
Okay, I get it! 😃 I do stuff like that sometimes, too. To paraphrase St. Augustine, I sometimes say, “God, give me charity, but not yet…” 😛
 
Being a deacon would be something I would find interesting, but don’t you have to get a bachelor’s degree in theology to become one?

It is entirely possible, but I’m not too sure. If I was on the spectrum I would most likely have Aspergers or another milder form.
there is a specific program for the formation of deacons. I do not believe you need a bachelor degree prior to that
 
Never say never.
As Mary Estelle says, get a Spiritual Director.
Many of these things will play out as you live your life.
You seem to think because you came into the Church, you have a road map.
In a real sense you do, but truly, you need many more years of discernment, life living under your belt, and **the direction of a good mentor. ** Like your parents maybe??? hint hint.
The person who sponsored you in RCIA? hint hint
Your priest? hint hint.

Read what the Catechism has to say re: “Vocation”.
The K of C is a fraternal organization that does great work. Join up if you want.
You’ve said before that you believe sex is gross. Some maturity will change that. It’s natural, not forbidden (in fact, that;s how YOU got here) and is unitive between two married people. You’re not living on your own, you’ve never been on a date, and yet you are quick to rule out the possibility of meeting a lovely Catholic woman to share your life with. What’s up with that?
Such statements lead me to believe that you are too young to speak definitively on these matters.

Good luck. But much of this can’t be answered or decided today.
We have no idea what God has planned for you
 
I am not autistic. I don’t believe I am on the spectrum either as I am an extroverted person.

I could check out a vocational director. That might be interesting.

Are the Knights of Columbus a vocation? :confused:
There are extroverted autistic people.

You can google it.
 
I am an 18 old man. I have never dated, and I never will (I have no desire to do so.) I have never had any desire to ever get married and I find the idea of sex vile and repulsive (although I am attracted to women. I am not asexual. I just find the idea of sex disgusting and something I would never want to do.) On the other hand, I don’t want to be a monk, friar, or priest.

Is there a vocation for people who want to be single but don’t want to be a religious or a priest?
Well, tbh, whatever vocation you have, you might want to talk to someone about your view of sex.
 
It’s all known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now. They’ve done away with the micro-titles.

My eldest son and I were diagnosed with it in 2002.

Blessings,
Cloisters
Yes. There’s a bunch of us here in CAF.
 
Sex does not appeal to the kid, so what? Yeah, look, you probably want to get counseling, if only because you are massively oversharing, but, yes, the single life is a vocation, and no, not everybody has to find sex appealing, but virtually everybody does, so, maybe look into that.
More concerning is that you are self medicating with nicatine and have seen it cause a spike in your grades. You see therefore that you need medication,because you self administer, and see it makes a difference, but I would throw out there that while vaping is way better than tobacco, it is still not good for you.

Get someone to check out your problems with a clinical background, at least for the memory and attention thing.
 
Unless there is a vow to “lock you in” involved, it is not a vocation.

Married people make a “vow” to each other, so marriage is permanent (until death). In the Latin rite, they cannot enter into clerical, religious, or consecrated life while married. Exceptions: permanent deacons, as well as eastern rite Catholic priesthood.

Clergy make vows or “solemn promises”, and they are priests forever, unless in special circumstances they are laicized. They cannot enter married life without laicization.

Religious and consecrated take “vows”. It is permanent unless they are somehow released from their vows.

Singles who have not taken a vow, on the other hand, do not need to be released from any vows in order to enter marriage, clerical, religious, or consecrated life.
 
Melodeonist:

After reading your initial post, and as a guy who was 18 once, here’s some advice that you can take for what it’s worth:

I was very awkward around girls in junior high and high school. I had male dominated interests, like cars, model work, Scouts, science, etc., and going to the senior prom was my only date in high school.

When I got to my first college, I was able to get over my fear of women mostly by getting out of my shell and taking a step to say hello, be friendly, etc. This was a small college, and after going to a large high school it was a blessing to go to a small college - it helped me both academically and in my social growth. I was a science major and I met a few girls through friends and in some of my classes. I was tickled pink when I asked one of the prettiest girls on campus to a semi-formal (we met in chemistry class and became friends) and she accepted.

Therefore Melodeonist, within the next few years, you may change your mind and want to date. It’s also nice to ask a girl out with the intent of, “you are a nice lady, and I just want to get to know you.” It’s sad with today’s hookup mentality being present, the part of “I just want to get to know you” is being lost. I recall being your age in the 1980’s and the culture was starting to get that way.
 
There are a varied mix of responses here, so I decided to chip in my 2 cents (American term coming from a Scot, oh that’s quite odd).

You’re 18, yes? You’re a virgin, yes? You don’t find sex appealing, yes? But, you’re attracted to women, yes? That’s perfectly normal. Odds are, you haven’t found the right girl yet, which is also perfectly normal. I suggest that you take time reflecting on your feelings, do some research, perhaps speak to your local priest for advice and guidance; they most likely went through the same things you went through.

I personally cannot know how you feel as I am looking forward to having sexual encounters one day with my future husband (wherever he is). To me, sex is a journey.

God is still leading me to my future path, he’s doing the same with you 😉 (we are similar in age, after all).
 
I am around the same age and also struggling with my vocation. I think being patient is a very important part is discovering God’s will for us. I wouldn’t say things like “I will never date, because if God is calling you to be married, then you seem like the person who would do it.”

Anyways, have you ever thought of being a Catechist, Youth Minister, or Catholic Theology teacher within a middle/high school?
 
I am around the same age and also struggling with my vocation. I think being patient is a very important part is discovering God’s will for us. I wouldn’t say things like “I will never date, because if God is calling you to be married, then you seem like the person who would do it.”

Anyways, have you ever thought of being a Catechist, Youth Minister, or Catholic Theology teacher within a middle/high school?
The OP is only 18, and a Catholic for about 6 months.
Plenty of time for himself to be properly catechized before deciding anything, career -wise.
 
Several months back, a Priest I am acquainted with passed onto me a book entitled “To Save a Thousand Souls,” by Fr. Brett A. Brannen.

Being occupied by study at present, I’ve not had the chance to really read it. However, one thing noted in this text is that the first vocation of every person is to lead a life of holiness. That is the first step, and one we must all accomplish in order to be in-tune with God, and His will for us.

As your spirituality grows (even if it’s one step forward, two steps back like me), you can better determine what God’s plan is. The important thing to do is NOT focus on what you want, or what makes you happy here and now.
Emotions are only temporary, really. The typical example of a kid earnestly pestering his mother about the latest toy, who gives in, only for the kid to loose interest after a few days is a prime example. Don’t obsess over particular pathways or lifestyles.

If you do not feel called to marriage or to the religious life, fear not. Remember the first vocation of each and every person is to lead a life of holiness - that is, living out the Gospel, acting in accordance with the Commandments, and so on.

This does lead (somewhat) into the “third vocation,” which is hotly debated. If you are not called to marriage or religious life, then you are to be celibate and chaste. Being single gives other challenges, like not always ‘doing whatever you want because you can,’ but instead trying to use your energy for the good of others or your own spiritual growth.

My hope is that this explanation helps.
Do seek out the guidance of a good spiritual director and/or your Parish Priest, or another Priest you know if you have some sort of preference.

Try and attend some retreats if you can at all. Okay, maybe you don’t want to be in a religious order, but the reflection time and the speaker(s) at these events can help clarify your thoughts. I regularly attend Reflection Weekends offered by a religious order operating/serving where I live, and find the time beneficial for strengthening my spirituality and disconnecting for a while.

As for the discussion on ADHD and Autism, how’s about not discussing this on an open forum. No one is qualified to make that call. The OP needs to look into this themselves if they have a concern.

Finally, concerning the discussion of nicotine, do remember everyone that the Church Herself stipulates it is acceptable PROVIDED any usage is done in temperance, much the same as with Alcohol. Both can be damaging and both can become habitual. My suggestion would be to be mindful that you don’t accidentally lead yourself into an addiction.
Having a drink every now and then is acceptable, but not constantly each day. The same with this.
 
Yeah, Mike, on the nicotine thing, I wasn’t making a moral judgment. No one cares whether he smokes occasionally, least of all me. The issue is not the vaping, it is why.

The way he describes it, this is clear self administration of a drug, which he should probably let a professional do. This is not necessarily because he will get addicted, but just because it is a good rule to have a professional administer drugs, whether it be for efficacy, or for whatever reason. Rule of thumb.
”Do not treat your ADD solely by self administering nicotine” does not require moral judgment. or divine revelation or a hatred of nicotine.
 
And I really think it does not matter whether you think sex seems appealing or not. Who cares?
What is concerning is that you told us all what your sexual preferences were, when all your question needed was for you to say, ”I know marriage is not for me.” So, some are worried.

Just mention to someone this convo and I am sure the ball can get rolling.
 
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