What do you do?

[ChristHealsAll]

What do you do if your boyfriend/girlfriend or boy or girl you like is discerning whether to enter a seminary or convent, but you believe they are called to marry you, based on prayer and you believe God is telling you. Basically, my question is is it possible to “know” someone else’s will while they may not know yet? And is it appropriate to talk to the boy or girl about what you believe, or should you just not interfere in any way…sorry this is deep stuff.

 

[Derwin_James]

I can understand your struggle. From the age of 14, I have been bombarded with the question “have you thought about the priesthood?” When I was 19, I started dating a girl who is now my wife. It has been a difficult time trying to discern whether the persistent questioning (even from my own Bishop) was God speaking to me through others or not. I did decide that my calling, which may still involve Holy Orders.

Now, as for you, I would say that the best you could do would be to be patient. My now wife, then girlfriend, stood by me through all the discernment, always telling me that she would not try to hinder my decision. It meant the world to me, and I think you would be well advised to do the same.

 

[ohioszo]

When you love someone, you allow them freedom of conscience. You may be wrong about God’s will for that person, or, you may be right. Even if the person was influenced by his family, he or she should move in the direction of his own will as his conscience tells him. Further, a vocation is a higher calling then marriage. Having a family is quite something different than remaining childless and in a vocation. People who are religious have wonderful lives. Martha and Mary story says it well. He/she chose something better, as Mary did; Martha should quit worrying.

 

[ChristHealsAll]

Further, a vocation is a higher calling then marriage.

Marriage is a vocation, so I’m not quite sure what your point is. Maybe you meant religious vocation…I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a “higher” calling, but it’s a special calling in which God calls fewer too, yes. But you make it sound like marriage is not special or something. You can’t have popes, priests and nuns without parents.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Marriage is a vocation, so I’m not quite sure what your point is. Maybe you meant religious vocation…I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a “higher” calling, but it’s a special calling in which God calls fewer too, yes. But you make it sound like marriage is not special or something. You can’t have popes, priests and nuns without parents.

There can be nothing “higher” than God’s Will for one’s life re vocation and no matter what that vocation and call may be.

 

[bilop]

Marriage is a vocation, so I’m not quite sure what your point is. Maybe you meant religious vocation…I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a “higher” calling, but it’s a special calling in which God calls fewer too, yes. But you make it sound like marriage is not special or something. You can’t have popes, priests and nuns without parents.

It is generally stated that a religious vocation is a “higher calling” than marriage.

This is because marriage is, in a sense, the “default” vocation; most people are called to marriage, far fewer to religious life. Also, the religious vocation involves giving your entire life to the service of God.

This **does not ** mean a religious vocation is always better. The appropriate vocation is the one to which we are called. It would not increase holiness for someone called to marriage to pursue religious life, quite the opposite.

Hope that helps,

God Bless

 

[ChristHealsAll]

It is generally stated that a religious vocation is a “higher calling” than marriage.

This is because marriage is, in a sense, the “default” vocation; most people are called to marriage, far fewer to religious life. Also, the religious vocation involves giving your entire life to the service of God.

This **does not ** mean a religious vocation is always better. The appropriate vocation is the one to which we are called. It would not increase holiness for someone called to marriage to pursue religious life, quite the opposite.

Hope that helps,

God Bless

that makes very much sense. Thanks.