Vocations

[BarbaraTherese]

I have more research on file…these should be convincing re the single state as a potential vocation and call from God.

Single state as vocation and what “vocation” actually means
here

POST-SYNODAL
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI
OF

HIS HOLINESS
JOHN PAUL II
ON THE VOCATION AND THE MISSION
OF THE LAY FAITHFUL
IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD

HERE

DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH
LUMEN GENTIUM
SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON NOVEMBER 21, 1964 here

The Vocation to Continence in This Earthly LifePope John Paul II
GENERAL AUDIENCE OF WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH
here

“Vocation to the Single State”
catholicexchange.com/2005/11/19/92623/

…"…The Apostolic exhortation Christifideles laici confirms that the unmarried state of lay life is a courageous response of vocational action and a magnificent opportunity for apostolic expenditure, especially in the times, conditions, and circumstances of the post-modern era. The single lay person carries out his or her apostolate by virtue of his or her special vocational status, growing in intimate union with the Divine Spouse, Our Lord. God the
…"…

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Married and “virginity for the kingdom”, as the CCC puts it. The latter encompasses Holy Orders, religious life, and other consecrated life. There are soem cases in which there are multiple vocations, mainly married people who become permanent deacons and, in the Eastern Rites (and some exceptions in the Latin Rite for converting protestant ministers), married people who are ordained.

“Single” in and of itself does not constitute a vocation until vows are taken, in which case it becomes part of consecrated life. Not being able to get a date as a teenager does not automatically mean that you are called to be single, as some of the panicky posts I’ve read on these forums might have you believe.

Until a vow is taken, your single state of life is not an impediment to marriage or the “virginity for the kingdom” states, whereas marriage is an impediment to priesthood (in the Latin Rite anyway) and priesthood is an impediment to marriage.

According to CCC 1603, our natural vocation (written into our nature) is marriage.

The vocation and call to the single state does not mean that one is single by any sort of force of circumstances, it is a state in life chosen “for the sake of the Kingdom”. Be that as it may, one could be by force of circumstances in the single state and decide to dedicate oneself in the enforced single state to the works of the Kingdom. Hence in this instance the enforced single state is embraced “for the sake of the Kingdom”. One does not necessarily have to make any vow or promise, other than that to God in the heart.

For some, either through force of circumstances or not, the single state is experienced as a call and vocation and embraced for those reasons and for “the sake of the Kingdom”. One may make private vows (spiritual direction/director is recommended) and have them received by a priest at Mass. These remain canonically private vows, even though they are received during Mass…or private Mass if this is preferred.

.

 

[Norseman82]

I have more research on file…these should be convincing re the single state as a potential vocation and call from God.

But is the author of the article: catholicexchange.com/2005/11/19/92623/

only expressing a private opinion? Or is she just looking for justification to turn down dates with guys so she can be a career woman?

I would like to see the actual document Christifideles laici to actually see what is actually said.

 

[Norseman82]

I am pretty sure, norse, that the catechism talks about the single vocation, but perhaps doesn’t use those words explicitly. Some are called to live the single vocation, whether because of being vowed religious, latin clergy, or other reasons (homosexuality, completely sterile, or simply because its God’s will that one remain single).

Also, the call to holiness is not a vocation in the sense that those four I mentioned are. It is a universal calling from God that is lived out through the four vocations and then further lived out through one’s individual vocation. Such as one is called to be Holy, and he does this by answering God’s call to the religious life, which there he lives out his life of holiness as the monastic cook, sandel maker, or liquor maker (depending on which monastary : p )

First, the instances of homosexuality, sterility, etc. are exceptions that should not become a rule or standard that is forced on normal, healthy people who are eligible for marriage.

Second, the only time “virginity for the sake of the kingdom” is mentioned in the sense of a “calling” is in CCC 2233 where it explicitly mentions it as priestly ministry or consecrated life.

Third, single life is described as “forgoing marriage” (CCC 2231) or a state that people have to endure due to circumstances they are in (CCC 1658).

Fourth, we have to get over this idea that are lives are micromanaged and pre-planned before we are even born, otherwise we are going to go neurotic and causing unsafe traffic situations when we decide to pray a novena every time we need to make a decision over whether to use the local or express lanes. CCC 2230 refers to the right and duty of people who reach adulthood to choose their profession or state of life. We are not mindless Archons wandering along crying “Landru, guide us” because we are incapable of making decisions.

 

[Norseman82]

and of course the single person must be celibate.

True, but the only time it becomes a permanent “vocation”, according to CCC 2233, is in instances of priestly ministry or consecrated life. Other than that, it is a temporary state until one finds a spouse (provided one is canonically eligible).

 

[BarbaraTherese]

True, but the only time it becomes a permanent “vocation”, according to CCC 2233, is in instances of priestly ministry or consecrated life. Other than that, it is a temporary state until one finds a spouse (provided one is canonically eligible).

Our primary vocation is our baptism as well as that individual call or vocation from God to live out our baptismal vows in a special manner. If you got to my previous posts, you will read Vatican documents on the lay vocation where it clearly states that a lay person may be called to the lay state in various ways and in the service of The Kingdom as their individual call and vocation.
Also in Canon Law it states that everyone has the right to make a personal vow or promise. I have to go out today and do not have the time to find this particular clause in Canon Law.
I am a lay person under private vows with (priest)spiritual direction. And I made these private vows under the advice of a priest.

The vocation of lay people

898 "By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will. . . . It pertains to them in a special way so to illuminate and order all temporal things with which they are closely associated that these may always be effected and grow according to Christ and maybe to the glory of the Creator and Redeemer."431
899 The initiative of lay Christians is necessary especially when the matter involves discovering or inventing the means for permeating social, political, and economic realities with the demands of Christian doctrine and life. This initiative is a normal element of the life of the Church:
Lay believers are in the front line of Church life; for them the Church is the animating principle of human society. Therefore, they in particular ought to have an ever-clearer consciousness not only of belonging to the Church, but of being the Church, that is to say, the community of the faithful on earth under the leadership of the Pope, the common Head, and of the bishops in communion with him. They are the Church.432
900
Quote:
Quote:
Since, like all the faithful, lay Christians are entrusted by God with the apostolate by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation,*** they have the right and duty, individually*** or grouped in associations,
to work so that the divine message of salvation may be known and accepted by all men throughout the earth. This duty is the more pressing when it is only through them that men can hear the Gospel and know Christ. Their activity in ecclesial communities is so necessary that, for the most part, the apostolate of the pastors cannot be fully effective without it.433

 

[BarbaraTherese]

True, but the only time it becomes a permanent “vocation”, according to CCC 2233, is in instances of priestly ministry or consecrated life. Other than that, it is a temporary state until one finds a spouse (provided one is canonically eligible).

Originally Posted by BarbaraTherese

forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cab/viewpost.gif
*and of course the single person must be celibate. *

Reply Norseman82 - True, but the only time it becomes a permanent “vocation”, according to CCC 2233, is in instances of priestly ministry or consecrated life. Other than that, it is a temporary state until one finds a spouse (provided one is canonically eligible).

**2233 **Becoming a disciple of Jesus means accepting the invitation to belong to God’s family, to live in conformity with His way of life: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Parents should welcome and respect with joy and thanksgiving the Lord’s call to one of their children to follow him in virginity for the sake of the Kingdom in the consecrated life or in priestly ministry.

I dont understand how you have concluded what you have from the above 2233 from the Catholic Catechism. Certainly it is not stating that
“but the only time it becomes a permanent “vocation”, according to CCC 2233, is in instances of priestly ministry or consecrated life.”
Rather, it is an encouragement and instruction to parents to foster and welcome a religious or priestly vocation in their children.

Barb

 

[Norseman82]

I dont understand how you have concluded what you have from the above 2233 from the Catholic Catechism. Certainly it is not stating that
“but the only time it becomes a permanent “vocation”, according to CCC 2233, is in instances of priestly ministry or consecrated life.”
Rather, it is an encouragement and instruction to parents to foster and welcome a religious or priestly vocation in their children.

Barb

The point I am making is that this is the only place that I have found in the CCC in which “virginity for the sake of the kingdom” as a formal “call” is clarified. The single state, in general, is not classified as a formal “call”. And the word “vocation” comes from the Latin word for “call”.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

The point I am making is that this is the only place that I have found in the CCC in which “virginity for the sake of the kingdom” as a formal “call” is clarified. The single state, in general, is not classified as a formal “call”. And the word “vocation” comes from the Latin word for “call”.

Hi Norseman…
Virginity for the sake of The Kingdom can be embraced by canonical vow and the state of virginity is a vocation of its own. It is not necessary to be a physical virgin to embrace the single state for the sake of The Kingdom and as one’s vocation and call from God… and there can be numerous reasons why a single person is not a physical virgin, the same as it is not necessary to make canonical vows within a religious order etc. to be a physical virgin.

…the celibate state is also the single state.
You are correct to my knowledge that the CCC does not mention the single state using that terminology - however see here

CCC

See these Vatican Documents forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=4251853&postcount=21

And HERE from a recent thread and several clauses from the Catholic Catechism.

As marriage is the most common call and vocation, the single state along with religious life and the priesthood are not the most common vocations and as Pope Paul states in Christifideles Laici (see below), the single vocation as a vocation is a “special vocational status”. Be that as it may to each individual whatever their call and vocation may be, it is special.

With respect, I have quoted previously in this thread several documents included the above where the single state is clearly a vocation or call (from “vocatio” meaning “call”) and we just may need to agree to disagree as we are starting, I think, to go round circles and over again links that I have already quoted. Is the single state a potential vocation and call from God? Yes, both the Catholic Catechism and Vatican Documents state that it is.

The thread, I think, has become my stating (with Church documents etc. to support my understanding) that the single state can indeed be a call and vocation from God, while I think and again with respect, you are stating your own opinion without documents to state that it is not, nor never, a vocation nor call from God. We are going round in circles.
Hence if we still continue to disagree, then I can happily accept that - rather than indeed go round in circles in this thead.

For one example onlyHERE, which I have already quoted previously, from Pope Paul II in
POST-SYNODAL
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI
OF
HIS HOLINESS

JOHN PAUL II
ON THE VOCATION AND THE MISSION
OF THE LAY FAITHFUL
IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD

The single lay person carries out his or her apostolate by virtue of his or her special vocational status, growing in intimate union with the Divine Spouse, Our Lord. God the

Blessings and my regards…Barb

.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I think my links may be incorrect and if so, here is a direct link to Christifideles Laici by JP2.
vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_30121988_christifideles-laici_en.html
If any links I have given do not perchance open the document for any reason, if you let me know, I can give the correct link. I am distracted just now. …and my apologies.

…and also see the following, and what could be clearer than the title of the audience in which Pope Paul was
speaking both of virginity and of celibacy embraced
for the sake of The Kingdom.

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb73.htm

The Vocation to Continence in This Earthly LifePope
John Paul II
GENERAL AUDIENCE OF WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH

This term concerns the physical defects which render procreation in marriage impossible. These defects explain the first two categories, when Jesus spoke of both congenital defects: "eunuchs who have been so from birth" (Mt 19:11), and of acquired defects caused by human intervention: “There are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men” (Mt 19:12). In both cases it is a state of compulsion, and therefore not voluntary.

Quote:

If Christ in his comparison then spoke of those “who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:12), as of a third category, undoubtedly he made this distinction to indicate still further its voluntary and supernatural character. It is voluntary, because those pertaining to this category “have made themselves eunuchs,” and it is supernatural, because they have done so “for the kingdom of heaven.”

 

[Norseman82]

Hi Norseman…
Virginity for the sake of The Kingdom can be embraced by canonical vow and the state of virginity is a vocation of its own. It is not necessary to be a physical virgin to embrace the single state for the sake of The Kingdom and as one’s vocation and call from God… and there can be numerous reasons why a single person is not a physical virgin, the same as it is not necessary to make canonical vows within a religious order etc. to be a physical virgin.

…the celibate state is also the single state.
You are correct to my knowledge that the CCC does not mention the single state using that terminology - however see here

CCC

See these Vatican Documents forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=4251853&postcount=21

And HERE from a recent thread and several clauses from the Catholic Catechism.

As marriage is the most common call and vocation, the single state along with religious life and the priesthood are not the most common vocations and as Pope Paul states in Christifideles Laici (see below), the single vocation as a vocation is a “special vocational status”. Be that as it may to each individual whatever their call and vocation may be, it is special.

With respect, I have quoted previously in this thread several documents included the above where the single state is clearly a vocation or call (from “vocatio” meaning “call”) and we just may need to agree to disagree as we are starting, I think, to go round circles and over again links that I have already quoted. Is the single state a potential vocation and call from God? Yes, both the Catholic Catechism and Vatican Documents state that it is.

The thread, I think, has become my stating (with Church documents etc. to support my understanding) that the single state can indeed be a call and vocation from God, while I think and again with respect, you are stating your own opinion without documents to state that it is not, nor never, a vocation nor call from God. We are going round in circles.
Hence if we still continue to disagree, then I can happily accept that - rather than indeed go round in circles in this thead.

For one example onlyHERE, which I have already quoted previously, from Pope Paul II in
POST-SYNODAL
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI
OF
HIS HOLINESS

JOHN PAUL II
ON THE VOCATION AND THE MISSION
OF THE LAY FAITHFUL
IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD

Blessings and my regards…Barb

.

Barb:

1. I don’t ever recall saying that physical virginity was a requirement for “virginity for the sake of the kingdom”, so I don’t know where that remark of yours came from.
2. Lumen Gentium:

vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html

And Christifidels Laici:

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_30121988_christifideles-laici_en.html

I’m sorry, but I could not find the quotes you posted in there (I admit I only searched for words in the quotes you posted). Perhaps you are simply quoting someone who is misinterpreting the documents?

 

[Norseman82]

I…and also see the following, and what could be clearer than the title of the audience in which Pope Paul was
speaking both of virginity and of celibacy embraced
for the sake of The Kingdom.

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb73.htm

The Vocation to Continence in This Earthly LifePope
John Paul II
GENERAL AUDIENCE OF WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH

Barb,

I’m a healthy male, not a eunuch; why are you posting this?

Besides, what seems to be forgotten about Matthew 19 is that Jesus said “not everyone can accept this teaching” and “let him accept this teaching who can”.

Celibacy/unmarried states are supposed to be ways to serve the Church, but you would (or should) be sickened by how often I’ve heard it used to quash people’s lawful desires for marriage and family life.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Barb,

You posted about eunuchs? What in the world does this have to do with anything? I’m not a eunuch; I’m a healthy male with all my “parts”, so why are you even posting this? This is EXACTLY what I posted regarding imposing the exceptions on healthy people who do not have these defects or impediments. IT DOESN’T APPLY TO US. If I ever have an accident that ever damages that part of the body, then I’ll look it up; but until then, it has nothing to do with me.

Hi Norseman…Pope John Paul was referring to these words of Jesus:
Matthew 19

12

For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it.*

The above words of Jesus are understood traditionally in The Church and theology and scriptural interpretation to not necessarily mean eunuchs per se, although I suppose it could, but also the state of virginity, celibacy, continence and also the virtue of celibate chastity. If you read the document that I quoted by Pope John Paul, perhaps you will insight. The address by Pope JP2 is not a long one at all to read.

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb73.htm

The Vocation to Continence in This Earthly LifePope
John Paul II
GENERAL AUDIENCE OF WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH

It is not me choosing to make the connection between what Jesus had to say re eunuchs…it is a traditional understanding in The Church. Just as the story of Martha and Mary in the New Testament is traditionally understood in The Church as representing the active and contemplative lifestyles.

I am not directing any of my comments at all to you personally/in a personal way … rather to the subject under discussion which is the single state as vocation…or the celibate or continent state of life…or the state of virginity. As PopePaul points out the celibate or virginal state does need to be chosen as one’s call and vocation in life and to have finality about it.

Celibacy/unmarried states are supposed to be ways to serve the Church, but you would (or should) be sickened by how often I’ve heard it used to quash people’s lawful desires for marriage and family life.

I have never come across the above, Norseman, but this is not to say it may not be so. It certainly does display a poverty of understanding of what in essence a vocation actually is to the celibate or virginal state, or to marriage. Certainly some form of attraction to a particular vocation, as in marraige in this instance for example, is the first indication of the possible presence of a vocation to that particular way of life.

Barb