Vocations
Etymology
Universal call to the Church
Universal vocation to holiness
We are all called to take on Jesus' character, to be sanctified by God's sovereign action within us, and to be vessels of grace to the world. "Shine like bright stars."
States in life
Faithful and Chaste Singles
“By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will. . . . It pertains to them in a special way so to illuminate and order all temporal things with which they are closely associated, that these may always be effected and grow according to Christ and may be to the glory of the Creator and Redeemer" ("Lumen Gentium," 31).
Never married
Those who wished to marry, but who could not find suitable partners. We don't have a truly great name for the disciples of Jesus who follow Him faithfully in the single life.
Separated and divorced
Those who have been abandoned by their spouse.
The widowed
Those whose spouse has died.
Holy Spouses in Holy Families
The Church is not complete without husbands and wives who love each other chastely in marriage and who desire to create a holy family.
Cf. the parents of St. Therese.