Vocation to Single Life

[BarbTh]

it would surely involve some sort of commitment; to say otherwise would imply that one could simply answer a vocation by doing nothing, which is not an act of answer

Obviously, if one is answering their vocational call from God by doing absolutely nothing, it is not a call from God. Not only that, but they are not being faithful to their BAPTISMAL VOWS. We have an all embracing major commitment through Baptism and every Easter, as I stated before, we renew our baptismal VOWS as individuals in community and in union with The Universal Church.

Certainly, every person has a call and vocation from God to holiness and if they are not striving for holiness and culpably so, they are in deep moral hot water. There is no need whatsoever for a person living celibate in the laity to make any sort of vow or promise in order to strive for holiness lifelong … and thus achieve even great sanctity.

Example of Baptismal Vows (Catholic Culture site) catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1047

V. Do you renounce Satan?
R. I do.

V. And all his works?
R. I do.

V. And all his empty show? R. I do.

V. Do you renounce sin, so as to live in the freedom of the children of God?
R. I do.

V. Do you renounce the lure of evil, so that sin may have no mastery over you?
R. I do.

V. Do you renounce Satan, the author and prince of sin?
R. I do.

V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.

V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.

V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.

V. And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins, keep us by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord, for eternal life.
R. Amen.

 

[BarbTh]

POST-SYNODAL
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
**VITA CONSECRATA **
OF THE HOLY FATHER
JOHN PAUL II

**ON THE CONSECRATED LIFE AND ITS MISSION
IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD **w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031996_vita-consecrata.html

…".The equal dignity of all members of the Church is the work of the Spirit, is rooted in Baptism and Confirmation and is strengthened by the Eucharist. But diversity is also a work of the Spirit. It is he who establishes the Church as an organic communion in the diversity of vocations, charisms and ministries.**The vocations **to the lay life, to the ordained ministry and to the consecrated life can be considered paradigmatic, inasmuch as all particular vocations, considered separately or as a whole, are in one way or another derived from them or lead back to them, in accordance with the richness of God’s gift. These vocations are also at the service of one another, for the growth of the Body of Christ in history and for its mission in the world…"…

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

Spot on, Vic! Our baptismal vows are a consecration into the Lay state of life (or single celibate chastity) and it is a call to holiness. Any further call and vocations is that road we are to take to holiness but not all receive such a further call and vocation.

Even if one is in the single celibate chaste life in the laity in a transitional manner (discerning some other state in life as their potential call and vocation), they are still called to holiness in the laity … .

One can simply remain in the laity without any sort of vow or vows and live out their normal every day life striving for holiness. …

You make a very good point, Vic. Our baptism is a consecration by The Church and clear call and vocation from God to holiness…no further call and vocation is absolutely necessary nor does The Church state that it is necessary. …

I deeply long for the Church institutionally to strengthen and train us in more detail for this the most important of the vocations (married and single alike). By helping us to train each other.

I realise one of the main focuses of the OP was about adding an additional layer to that, for some of those likely to remain single for a while yet. I was simply trying to add a bit of additional context, probably.

Perhaps an interesting variant on the title could be, Vocations (plural) in the single life.

 

[BarbTh]

I deeply long for the Church institutionally to strengthen and train us in more detail for this the most important of the vocations (married and single alike). By helping us to train each other.

I realise one of the main focuses of the OP was about adding an additional layer to that, for some of those likely to remain single for a while yet. I was simply trying to add a bit of additional context, probably.

Perhaps an interesting variant on the title could be, Vocations (plural) in the single life.

HI again Vic,
I agree that formation for a vocation in the laity (married or single) is lacking - i.e. formation on how to actually go forward as leaven in the mix of one’s secular environment.

The OP from my perspective was simply to present the subject of celibate lay vocations and really no matter the quite personal call and framework for a celibate lay vocation - private vow or vows, promises, or not. Again on a personal level, I think that The Holy Spirit will indeed lead where He may and wont always accept the straightjacket of subject of thread only…in other words, Vic, feel quite free to share your thoughts.

I do agree with your final comment and a good point, a better title for this thread would have been “Vocations in the single life”