Description

Celibacy has received a lot of attention in recent times. It is affirmed and denounced, lauded and denigrated, in both the secular and religious press.
To arrive at an understanding of celibacy as a Christian commitment, as a choice made in the context of faith, is to move beyond such definitions of celibacy to an exploration of its internal meaning and purpose. Celibacy as a religious commitment to authentic Gospel living is not about isolation, autonomy, fear of dependence, convenience, or freedom. Rather, it is about the reign of God – a reign characterized by deep, loving, committed, and just relationships.
Time after time people would say “If only I had been given more information about these things when I was young, or if I had had more open attitudes about sex, I wouldn’t have made such a mess of my life.”
This book is not a personal story. It is an expression of the right understanding and evaluation of consecrated celibacy. That understanding and evaluation take into account Catholic Church’s teaching and theology, as well as modern philosophical, literary, and scientific insights on the subject.

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE
OLDER UNDERSTANDING OF VOW OF CHASTITY
1. Traditional Understanding of Vow of Chastity
2. An Evaluation of Traditional Understanding of Vow of Chastity.
CHAPTER TWO
NEWER UNDERSTANDING OF VOW OF CHASTITY
1. Consecrated Celibacy as a State of Greater Love for God
1.1. Consecrated Celibacy as a State of Greater Freedom.
1.2. Consecrated Celibacy as Existential Inability to Marry
1.3. Consecrated Celibacy as a Witness of Intimacy
1.4. Consecrated Celibacy as State of Special Bridehood of God.
1.5. Consecrated Celibacy as Prophetic Witness
1.6. Support from the Bible
1.7. Support from the Magisterium
1.8. Support from the Virginity of Mary
1.9. Support from the Celibacy of St. Francis
1.10. Support from Consecrated Celibacy in the Early Church
1.11. Support from Consecrated Celibacy in the Anglican Church
1.12. Support from the Opinion of Theologians
2. Consecrated Celibacy as a State of Greater Love for Human Beings
2.1. Human Universalism Has Its Source in God
2.2. Jesus’ Celibacy Signified a Universal Availability
2.3. Celibacy as a Higher Marriage
2.4. Celibacy as Call to Be Open to Relationship
2.5. Celibacy as Generativity
2.6. Celibacy as Complementary to Marriage
2.7. Celibacy as a Charism
2.8. Celibacy as Living the Paschal Mystery
2.9. Celibacy as Facilitating Apostolic Activity and Pastoral Care…… 104
CHAPTER THREE
LIVING OF VOW OF CHASTITY
1. Living of Greater Love for God
2. Living of Greater Love for Human Beings
2.1. Greater Love for Enemies
2.2. Greater Love for the Loveless
2.3. Greater Love for Strangers
2.4. Greater Love for Acquaintances
2.5. Greater Love for One’s Family Members
2.6. Greater Love for Celibate Friends
Homosociai Friendship
Heterosexual Friendship
3. Living of Greater Love for Self
3.1. Love of My Sexuality.
3.2. Love of My Affectivity
3.3. The Role of Physical Integrity of the Body.
3.4. Facing Problems of Consecrated Celibacy
Proper Attitude towards Sexual Temptation
Appropriate Understanding of Masturbation
4. Vow of Chastity in My Life