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Don't forget the single vocation.

It's my understanding that single life in the world (as opposed to in religious life under superiors, with the holy vows of poverty, obedience and chastity) is a vocation of consecrated life only when one has vowed to remain single for love of God. Is that correct? Anyone has sources to check and confirm. My understanding comes from Sacra Virginitas of Pope Pius XII, especially this part, "Nor do we extol virgins because they are virgins, but because they are virgins dedicated to God in loving continence."[19] And the masters of Sacred Theology, St. Thomas Aquinas[20] and St. Bonaventure,[21] supported by the authority of Augustine, teach that virginity does not possess the stability of virtue unless there is a vow to keep it forever intact. And certainly those who obligate themselves by perpetual vow to keep their virginity put into practice in the most perfect way possible what Christ said about perpetual abstinence from marriage; nor can it justly be affirmed that the intention of those who wish to leave open a way of escape from this state of life is better and more perfect." and this book by Rev. Fr. Unger https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/mystery-of-love-for-the-single.html which confirms and elaborates on it. Your thoughts?

Voted other becuase I am at the moment conserning and discerning my vocation and what God wills of me.

Wonderful, Brunitix. Do you go to SSPX? Resistance? At any rate, you can either speak to your Priest after Mass or Confession, or write him an email and visit your nearest priory. I did both. There, you can speak to him about your concerns and attempts at discernment and ask his help. They will be very helpful and friendly in my experience and opinion and the goal is not to impose anything on you but help you discern God's will for your life, as you said. Religious Life is a very great calling, and many more are called then we think. Give it a try!

Your poll is weak. Probably because it's so subjective. I'm seeing a pattern here with you - subjective - emotions.

Matthew, perhaps there could be one or two more options. But I did add other at the end, and I think discernment does not in any way exclude the guidance of Superiors in that discernment, rather it presupposes all possible guidance. Internal guidance from God in prayer, and external guidance from Superiors and the Church. Yes, I could have added, Superiors chose otherwise etc as more options. (I don't think it's subjective to emphasize discernment).

We say, discern a vocation, because as we know, all who wish to serve God must not try to take it upon himself or herself to enter of their own will, but only when, after careful discernment, they believe they are called by God. St. Paul says, "Neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was." and of course the word vocation comes from the Latin vocatur in this text. (Heb 5:4) Man must be called, and among those who are called, as the Lord says, not all are chosen. We know that and we know whatever God wills for each of us individually is where we each ought to be. But objectively, religious life is a higher calling and thus I wish we would all do more to encourage all those who may be called by God to enter. Sometimes vocations are lost because no one stressed the importance of it. Saints say sometimes if a person is called to a religious life and a state of perfection but does not follow it, he or she may lose his or her soul in the world. The example they give is that of the rich young man in the Gospel who did so. That is so for some, not all. Thankfully. But still it is an obligation to discern.

In my case, I do consider my work with special needs children a vocation of sorts, also being a single Traditional woman living on her own in the world.

Seraphina, that's a wonderful and noble thing you're doing. Thanks for sharing the story of your life. Have you ever tried reaching out to a traditional Priest or order just for general advice and guidance? It may be that they may very well tell you to carry on and continue doing what you're doing, but you never know, God may still have other plans for you. Hope you will do that. God bless, all.