How Much Do You Know About Vocations?

A deacon is a religious position typically found in Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Church or the Anglican Church. Traditionally, deacons have been exclusively male, as these churches have reserved the role of priesthood for men. However, in recent years, some Christian denominations have started to allow women to become deacons as well. Therefore, the statement "A deacon can only be male" is not universally true, as there are now instances where women can also hold the position of deacon.

The correct answer is "Is married can become a deacon." This statement implies that a man who is married has the potential to become a deacon. It suggests that marriage is not a hindrance or disqualification for someone to hold the position of a deacon.

Today the word "ordination" is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, presbyters, or deacons, and goes beyond a simple election, designation, delegation, or institution by the community, for it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a "sacred power" (sacra potestas)5 which can come only from Christ himself through his Church. Ordination is also called consecratio, for it is a setting apart and an investiture by Christ himself for his Church. The laying on of hands by the bishop, with the consecratory prayer, constitutes the visible sign of this ordination. - Catechism of the Catholic Church #1538

"At a lower level of the hierarchy are to be found deacons, who receive the imposition of hands 'not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry." - Catechism of the Catholic Church #1569

The correct answer is "a man who receives ordination (the Sacrament of Holy Orders) from his Bishop." This answer correctly defines a priest as a male individual who undergoes the sacrament of Holy Orders and receives ordination from his Bishop. The additional statement "in the ordained state; he is a cleric" further emphasizes the fact that a priest is a member of the clergy.

A Bishop is a man who has received the fullness of Holy Orders, meaning he has been ordained as a bishop. As a bishop, he is in the ordained state and is considered a successor of the Apostles. He has the authority to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation and can ordain priests, deacons, and other bishops with the permission of the Holy Father.

Deacons share in Christ's mission and grace in a special way.55 The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ("character") which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of all.56 Among other tasks, it is the task of deacons to assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries, above all the Eucharist, in the distribution of Holy Communion, in assisting at and blessing marriages, in the proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, in presiding over funerals, and in dedicating themselves to the various ministries of charity. - Catechism of the Catholic Church #1570

All of us are called by baptism to a life of holiness. Many are called to a specific way of living out the call to holiness in a state of life (vocation) characterized by undertaking a lifelong commitment by vow or consecration. Some, however, are called to be living witnesses to Christ without assuming a life long commitment. Others are called to dedicate their lives to Christ in blessed singleness but without changing their state in life.



The beauty and burden of the life of the single person is often overlooked in today’s world. The single person’s life can have a spiritual dimension. While it is sometimes said to be the hardest way of life to live, it is definitely not meant to be a life of loneliness and solitude.



Most of us exist as singles for some transitional amount of time, prior to our discernment and entrance into the married, consecrated, or clerical states. For those who do not enter the more particular states of life by vow, ordination, or consecration, there is an opportunity and a freedom to give themselves completely in service to others. Singleness as a form of life is not an end in itself, but is directed in self-giving and life-giving generosity and activity.



The single person has no bond of commitment to a person or a community of persons. Thus, there is not a built-in support system for them. Living this call thus presents an opportunity to nurture a strong relationship with God. The solitude of being single can be a blessing that allows the individual to discover the incompleteness of life without God being present.



Many singles find spiritual support as lay members of third orders and associations of the faithful. These help the single person in his efforts to respond to the Lords call to holiness. Also, a single person who feels called may choose to live under a private vow of chastity, and by so doing, may find a certain joy in living as a lay person specially dedicated to the Lord. Why would a single person take a vow of chastity? Because, as one theologian put it, “But a man cannot actually give God his whole life, because that life taken as a whole is not simultaneous but successive. Hence a man cannot give his whole life to God otherwise than by the obligation of a vow.” Without a vow then, a single person has the potential of embracing lifelong commitments by means of ordination, vow, or consecration, and this state of potential is not a “vocation” in itself.

Marriage is considered a sacrament when it is between two baptized persons. It is entered into by vows mutually exchanged by the man and woman. It is a sacrament conferred by the man and the woman themselves. Additionally, marriage is seen as the matrimonial covenant, where a man and a woman establish a lifelong partnership that is oriented towards the well-being of the spouses and the procreation and education of children.

A diocesan hermit lives in strict solitude, meaning they live alone and have minimal contact with others. They make vows or profess other sacred bonds in the hands of their Bishop, indicating a formal commitment to their religious life. They cannot be married, suggesting a requirement of celibacy. They follow a rule of life that they have written and the Bishop has approved by decree, indicating a structured and regulated lifestyle. This distinguishes them from a person getting ready to join a religious order, as they are already established in their vocation.

A member of a secular institute is someone who is in semi-public vows or sacred bonds which have been accepted by a superior. They can be either an ordained person or a lay person, and they do not enter the consecrated state but live out a form of consecrated life. The gender of the member depends on whether the secular institute is for men or women. They live according to a particular charism and are seen as a "leaven" in the world, meaning they bring a transformative influence to society.

The correct answer states that the religious life is open to both men and women, indicating that individuals of any gender can pursue this vocation. Additionally, it mentions that entering the religious life requires making solemn profession of vows accepted by a legitimate superior, emphasizing the seriousness and commitment involved in this decision. Lastly, it states that religious men and women are in the consecrated state, highlighting the special and dedicated status they hold within the religious community.

A consecrated virgin is made a bride of Christ by the prayer of consecration said by her Bishop (no vows are made). This means that through a formal prayer of consecration, a woman becomes spiritually united to Christ and dedicates her life to serving Him. Unlike other religious vocations, such as nuns or sisters, a consecrated virgin does not take vows but instead makes a lifelong commitment to remain a virgin and live a life of prayer and service to the Church. Being a consecrated virgin is a unique and special calling within the consecrated state.