Is The Single Life A True Vocation?

[The Bus Station]

I was wondering if the Church recognizes the single life (as in living as an unmarried, unordained lay person for one's whole life) as a vocation that one is called to by God.

[CatherineM]

The church has consecrated virgins. There are two in our diocese, and one in my diocese back in Florida. The woman in Florida was a nurse who had been in a convent that disbanded. The most recent one here asked to be consecrated single rather than as a virgin. She said that she didn't want the focus to be on sexuality but rather service. She is a chaplain and an instructor at the seminary. She took vows of obedience to the archbishop, and I remember her saying that dedicating her life to remaining single left her with more time to devote to the church. So I'd have to say that yes, it is a recognized vocation. We are also blessed with the presence of several Franciscan Friars in our parish. They are not ordained, but do take vows to their order. There are also lay missionaries who run a homeless shelter that work with my husband.

The history of our church is full of those who live their lives dedicated to the church as single people. Some people fall into it, and some choose it.