www.vocation.com - Is it possible that I may also be meant to marry?

Mary asks:

Greetings!
May be you can shed some light on this question. I have been discerning a vocation to religious life for about three years through college. I currently volunteer with a religious order and I feel this is the order I am meant to join. I have really gotten to know what the spirituality of this order is like. I feel this is where the Lord is calling me. I have talked to the sisters about how I feel. I have asked to enter next year. Meanwhile I have been dating this gentlemen who is also Catholic. I have been honest with him about discerning a call to religious life, I have told him that I plan to enter next year.
Is it wrong to have kissed him? I feel confused.... I want to follow with all my heart where ever the Lord leads me. Is it possible that I may also be meant to marry? I try to pray every day. At times I feel so confused. If you could answer my question thanks.
United in prayers,
Mary

Dear Mary,

I think you forgot what human nature is made of and what a vocation is.

Dating creates attachments that have the potential to become exclusive and total. That is human nature. A vocation is God's call to a human person to leave everything and follow him. Emphasize, "human person"..., in other words with all the tendencies and potentialities of a normal human person. So, if a person is called and serious about following Christ, you leave aside first of all everything that is going to distract you from following the call, and then everything that might distract you. Dating as far as I can see fits into the first category.

There another mistake we should avoid as far as a vocation is concerned. You don't leave off answering your vocation until tomorrow. It is best to say "yes" when you hear it, even if you can't actually enter at that moment. But as soon as it seems God is calling we have to start adjusting to that new reality in our lives. Like you got engaged.

So I would encourage you to take this step. If you do your own decision will be much firmer and more stable when the time comes to enter.

God bless.

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