Q: How do I know if God is calling me to a life of singlehood? – A.O.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: God’s perfect plan for all of us is that we give him glory and become saints.

Now, you give no details about your yourself or your situation in life. So, any answer will need to remain a bit general. (We’ll assume that you aren’t married.)

A good first step in discerning God’s will is to have a solid prayer life and sacramental life, and to look for ways to help people around you. A life of piety and charity is fertile ground for the workings of the Holy Spirit.

It helps, too, at some point to do a retreat at a solid Catholic retreat center. This could give you a chance for extended times of prayer and a bit of spiritual direction.

That said, the idea of being called to “singlehood” wouldn’t be an end in itself. It’s not a call to live in a cocoon.

If God wants you to remain single, it’s so that you can dedicate yourself more fully to service to him and to others.

In his apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio, Pope John Paul II wrote:

“In virginity or celibacy, the human being is awaiting, also in a bodily way, the eschatological marriage of Christ with the Church, giving himself or herself completely to the Church in the hope that Christ may give Himself to the Church in the full truth of eternal life” (No. 16).

The Pope continued, “Virginity or celibacy, by liberating the human heart in a unique way, ‘so as to make it burn with greater love for God and all humanity,’ bears witness that the Kingdom of God and His justice is that pearl of great price which is preferred to every other value no matter how great, and hence must be sought as the only definitive value.”

There might be personal issues in your own life that need to be considered. A good confessor or spiritual guide can help you do that.

Count on my prayers.