Is Single A Vocation?

[dells_of_bittersweet]

Is the single life a vocation?

[cappie]

Many people who are single are open to the vocation of marriage.If that is the case, then being single is not their vocation - it is their present state in life, they have not committed to the single life as their calling from God. If a person truly felt he/she were called to the single life, then they make that formal - by consecrating their life to God, usually through a priest or spiritual director. This then puts them in the "religious" state in life vocation.

We also have this from Pope John Paul "The Various Vocations in the Lay State":

POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II ON THE VOCATION AND THE MISSION OF THE LAY FAITHFUL

…………………Along the same line the Second Vatican Council states: "This lay spirituality should take its particular character from the circumstances of one's state in life (married and familylife, celibacy, widowhood), from one's state of health and from one's professional and social activity. All should not cease to develop earnestly the qualities and talents bestowed on them in accord with these conditions of life and should make use of the gifts which they have received from the Holy Spirit"(208)…………..