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angell1
Guest
I feel a strong call for single life. how does one go about doing this in the vocational sense? as in, consecrated single? is it just a vow of celibacy?
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BarbTh
Guest
As a baptised Catholic and lay person, one already has a vocation and call - a mission and apostolate. I suggest you read the Vatican Document "Christifideles Laici - The Mission and Vocation of The Laity"w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_30121988_christifideles-laici.html
Also, as an unmarried baptised Catholic in the laity, one already has a call and vocation to celibacy. If you would like to make some sort of private vow or vows, I suggest you consult with a spiritual director. Some single Catholics make private vows to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience (I have done this) - wise and prudent to consult with a spiritual director initially and on an ongoing basis for the life of the vows.
Secular Institutes are a way of remaining in secular life in a consecrated state of life rather than in the laity.
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Elizium23
Guest
I think you mean chastity.
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ChibiViolet
Guest
If you are a woman, you might one day become a consecrated virgin, which is different than being single, as you then would be officially married to Jesus via a consecration by your Bishop and this would be irrevocable.
You can also make private vows if you feel drawn to that, but you should never vow anything you are not sure of and nothing that you have not felt drawn to for a very long period of time. A private vow may be dispensed by a priest.
If you feel VERY drawn to it and have wanted it for a very long time, you might ask God to marry you privately and at least if you really mean it and are mature enough to ask for this, I’m not quite sure if a priest’s dispensation would take that away if God said “yes” and I don’t necessarily mean so that you can hear Him with your ears (in which case, as long as you are not mentally ill and experiencing an auditory hallucination, than I’d say that a priest’s dispensation would definitely not be enough,) but at least with your
heart–just to clarify. I asked Jesus to marry me and felt Him say “yes” so I don’t consider myself single, although I do recognize that I am still a part of the laity.
You can also make private vows if you feel drawn to that, but you should never vow anything you are not sure of and nothing that you have not felt drawn to for a very long period of time. A private vow may be dispensed by a priest.
If you feel VERY drawn to it and have wanted it for a very long time, you might ask God to marry you privately and at least if you really mean it and are mature enough to ask for this, I’m not quite sure if a priest’s dispensation would take that away if God said “yes” and I don’t necessarily mean so that you can hear Him with your ears (in which case, as long as you are not mentally ill and experiencing an auditory hallucination, than I’d say that a priest’s dispensation would definitely not be enough,) but at least with your
heart–just to clarify. I asked Jesus to marry me and felt Him say “yes” so I don’t consider myself single, although I do recognize that I am still a part of the laity.
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angell1
Guest
I was thinking about consecrated virgin but I don’t think I would be eligible due some past stuff
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angell1
Guest
I’ve been considering that too, so all members of secular institutes are considered to be consecrated?
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SuperLuigi
Guest
Based on this and some of the other questions you have asked on here, it’s important to seek a spiritual director.
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Antegin
Guest
It’s kind of rare but the Church has been reviving ‘‘Consecrated Virgins’’ Unlike religious, Consecrated Virgins are lay people who have to provide their own domicile though a job or some entitlement that is not provided by the Church. That job can be anything that does not support or promote something against Church teaching like homosexual marriage, anything planned parenthood, you get the idea. The idea is to promote the Kingdom of God in the world by existing in the world always seeking to make the world around us more Christ-like. (Religious are supposed to be prophetic signs of how we will be like the angels, neither marrying nor taken in marriage)
Consecrated Virgins make a vow to the ordinary of their (archdiocese) and devote the time they don’t use for a marriage and family to good works. I’m not sure how the relationship with the bishop works, but I know they are not in the normal chain of command the same way a deacon is responsible to the bishop.
Where do you start. We’ve heard it all before, everybody say it with me, Go talk to your Spiritual Director…
Consecrated Virgins make a vow to the ordinary of their (archdiocese) and devote the time they don’t use for a marriage and family to good works. I’m not sure how the relationship with the bishop works, but I know they are not in the normal chain of command the same way a deacon is responsible to the bishop.
Where do you start. We’ve heard it all before, everybody say it with me, Go talk to your Spiritual Director…
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BarbTh
Guest
What I said was: “Also, as an unmarried baptised Catholic in the laity, one already has a call and vocation to celibacy” or celibate chastity. If one is a married baptised Catholic in the laity then one has a vocation and call to conjugal chastity.
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We are all called to Chastity -
Catholic Catechism **
catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/index.cfm?recnum=6156
2348 All the baptized are called to chastity. The Christian has “put on Christ,” 135 the model for all chastity. All Christ’s faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their particular states of life. At the moment of his Baptism, the Christian is pledged to lead his affective life in chastity.
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2349 **“People should cultivate [chastity] in the way that is suited to their state of life. Some profess virginity or consecrated celibacy which enables them to give themselves to God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. Others live in the way prescribed for all by the moral law, whether they are married or single.” 136 Married people are called to live conjugal chastity; others practice chastity in continence:
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BarbTh
Guest
You got it and spot on!…edited…
Where do you start. We’ve heard it all before, everybody say it with me, Go talk to your Spiritual Director…
Pope Benedict recommended that all should have spiritual directors who desire to take their baptism and The Gospel seriously. Spiritual Direction is not only for consecrated life and the priesthood. zenit.org/en/articles/pope-recommends-spiritual-direction-to-everyoneAnother good alternative for advice and information is one’s diocesan vocations director.
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BarbTh
Guest
Insofar as I am aware a secular institute is the newest form of consecrated life in The Church. If I were to discern with one, however I would first ask if they are indeed in consecrated life. I do not know much about them at all.
secularinstitutes.org/secularinstitutes.htm
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BarbTh
Guest
Consecrated Virgins are the oldest form of consecrated life in The Church. The Church is very strict about requirements and one needs to be a physical virgin - but again, if one is interested in this vocation in consecrated life, one should consult one’s diocesan vocations director about the actual requirements for this vocation. I am unsure as to what might apply re rape victims.
Always consult with an actual Church authority rather than information gleaned off the internet - just as a double check always.
Always consult with an actual Church authority rather than information gleaned off the internet - just as a double check always.
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Deo_Gratias42
Guest
The Church has stated that rape victims are eligible to receive the consecration.
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BarbTh
Guest
Thank you
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