Preachers, teachers, parents, and other authorities have taught many of us from an early age that preserving one's virginity is very important. This was always communicated under the assumption that it would someday be given to our spouses. Sadly this teaching has focused simply on maintaining virginity until marriage and does not even take into consideration the honourable, laudable, and holy state of the Consecrated Life as a possibility for youth of today. It is assumed that the procreative urges natural in all humans must be indulged at some point and that a truly fulfilled life requires marriage and a family. Marriage and children are good and holy things, but we do our young people a disservice to not offer them the option of living a life wholly consecrated to the love and service of God.
In Christianity, monasticism has been designated as the path for single people who desire to remain single. A community of believers wedded to Christ and the Church who have set themselves apart to the service of God can be a powerful force with which to be reckoned. The influence of consecrated men and women on the life of the Church is tremendous and should not be dismissed.
St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 commends the unmarried life to single believers as preferable to that of the married life. Remaining unmarried, in St. Paul's estimation, allows believers to be fully focused on the work of Christ and the Church. However, if a man or women finds that controlling lustful passions is best served through marriage, no sin is committed, but fidelity to one's spouse is required. Too often seeking marriage in order to control passions is used as a convenient excuse for not engaging in serious discernment concerning the consecrated life of virginity. I would urge you, beloved of Christ, think carefully about what God would have you do. It is far better for you to admit the possibility of being called to consecrated life than to rashly marry and cause great distress through not properly discerning the will of God.
In conclusion, I do not condemn or denigrate the married life, but I do wish to praise the consecrated life. It is distressing that, especially in North America, we have so abandoned monasticism that it no longer figures into the lives of Christians or is even considered as a viable option among our youth. In our society that places such a premium on indulging every whim and passion, that insists on getting everything exactly as desired, it would be a good and holy thing for Christian youth to consider once again the call of Christ to deny themselves, take up their Cross, and follow Christ, even to the point of leaving behind family, wealth, and worldly aspirations.
May God send forth his Spirit to put into the hearts of many the vocation to the consecrated life. Amen.
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