religious life CelIbaTeS sense that in celibacy lies the key to their spiritual freedom, and that fidelity to this mysterious, perplexing gift is all-important.
The mysterious gift of celibacy True celibates remind us of what matters most in life: the mysterious ways of grace—that different paths may be equally valid choices in living out one’s faithfulness to the gospel.
by
Father DonalD Cozzens
F
or some individuals, celibacy is their truth—the right way for them to live out their lives. They appear to possess the charism, or gift, of celibacy—a graced call from God to pledge themselves to celibate living for the good of others and for the building up of the reign of God. Without putting down marriage and with regard for the
Father Donald Cozzens teaches and is a writer-in-residence in the religious studies department of John Carroll University near Cleveland, Ohio.
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goodness and wholesomeness of human sexuality, they sense a mysterious pull of grace toward singleness that seems to fit with their inner life and spiritual journey. It is mysterious because it often makes no sense even to themselves, let alone to their family and friends. It is a pull—like being drawn by a magnet— because it is not necessarily, at least in the beginning of their discernment, their choice. Celibates sense, moreover, that herein lies the key to their spiritual freedom, and that fidelity to this mysterious, perplexing gift is all-important. Intuitively, they sense that their gift of
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