Consider this remarkable statement: "
The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator." CCC #1603
That's a strong statement. It makes it sound as if
everyone is called to the vocation of marriage.
If everyone is called to marriage then, what about those who have searched and searched for the right person to marry, but with no success? In those cases, should they see this as a sign that they obviously should consider the religious life?
No.
It would be a mistake to consider religious life or the priesthood as a "vocation of last resort". They are not a refuge for men and women who are unable to get married.
The priesthood and religious life are not fallback plans or second choice options. Quite simply they are particular calls by God to be consecrated to him as a religious or to be a cooperator in His vineyard. It is a vocation that is suited to particular people, given to them for their holiness and that of God’s Church. He calls all kinds, regardless of appearance or personality. There are boisterous religious and quiet religious, handsome priests and homely priests.
Here's the thing: good religious and priests are people who would be great husbands and wives, mothers and fathers. Similarly, it is important not to assume that if you can easily find a date on Friday night, marriage must be your vocation. Like any other vocation, marriage must be
discerned, not assumed.
What about that opening statement, from the catechism? It's saying in no uncertain terms that the vocation to marriage is
naturally present in men and women. How do we square that with those who choose a life of celibacy or virginity?
There are at least two ways to answer the question. The first is the observation that these are not natural vocations, but
supernatural. As Bishop Robert Barron puts it: "I see celibacy as a kind of irrational, over-the-top, poetic, symbolic expression of the soul in love." This notion of being in a supernatural relationship of love leads right into the second answer: that the priesthood and religious life are indeed a kind of marriage. Priests as well as religious sisters and brothers give themselves completely over to Christ and His Church.
As one vocation director noted: "I no longer ask men if they are called to marriage or the priesthood. I now ask, 'To which marriage are you called?'"
If you have an attraction to a supernatural vocation, don't ignore this desire, but rather explore it some. At the same time, don't fall into the trap of "trying out" religious life or the priesthood just because nothing else seems to be working out for you. There is no such thing as a "vocation of last resort".
God is calling you to a specific vocation, the best vocation possible for you.
Whatever vocation God is calling you to will be filled with joy; to which marriage are you being called?
