# States of Christian Life and Vocation, According to the Doctors and Theologians of the Church

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## Contents

* Preface
* Introduction

## Part 1: States of the Christian Life

* Preliminary Explanation

### Section 1: The Common State of Life
#### Article 1: Marriage

Chapter 1: Is Marriage a Holy State
Chapter 2: Is Marriage Obligatory
Chapter 3: Is Marriage Counselled
Chapter 4: End to be kept in View by those entering the Married State
Chapter 5: Chief Cases in which Marriage is Unlawful or Invalid

#### Article 2: The Unmarried State
##### Paragraph I. Celibacy

Chapter 1: Celibacy is Possible
Chapter 2: Is Celibacy permitted, or is it a precept or a counsel.
Chapter 3: Celibacy is a Happier State than Marriage.
Chapter 4: Is Celibacy better than Marriage
Chapter 5: The Vow of Chastity
Chapter 6: Is it Lawful to Exhort Others to the Practice of Perfect Chastity or Celibacy.
Chapter 7: Is it Wrong to Dissuade from Perfect Chastity.

##### Paragraph 2. Virginity

Chapter 1: The Virtue of Virginity
Chapter 2: The Glory of Virginity

##### Paragraph 3. Widowhood
### Section 2: The State of Perfection

Introductory Remarks. What is Perfection, and what is the State of Perfection.

#### ARTICLE I. The State of Tendency to Perfection, or the Religious State.

CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF THE RELIGIOUS STATE.
CHAPTER II. EVANGELICAL COUNSELS.
CHAPTER III. EXCELLENCE OF THE RELIGIOUS STATE.
CHAPTER IV. ADVANTAGES OF THE RELIGIOUS STATE.
CHAPTER V. IS THE RELIGIOUS STATE OBLIGATORY.
CHAPTER VI. IS THE RELIGIOUS STATE A COUNSEL.
CHAPTER VII. IS IT ALLOWABLE TO EXHORT PERSONS TO ENTER RELIGION.
CHAPTER VIII. FAULTS TO BE SHUNNED WHILE INDUCING PERSONS TO EMBRACE THE RELIGIOUS LIFE.
CHAPTER IX. OPPOSITION TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE.
CHAPTER X. HINDRANCES TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE.
CHAPTER XI. IS THE CONSENT OF THEIR SUPERIORS NECESSARY FOR THOSE WHO ENTER RELIGION.
CHAPTER XII. IS LONG PREVIOUS PRACTICE OF VIRTUE REQUISITE FOR ENTRANCE INTO RELIGION.
CHAPTER XIII. CAN CHILDREN BE ADMITTED INTO RELIGION?
CHAPTER XIV. IS IT PROPER TO DELIBERATE A LONG TIME, AND TO CONSULT MANY PERSONS BEFORE ENTERING RELIGION.

#### ARTICLE II. The State of Perfection in Practice.

* Chapter 1: Is Episcopacy the Most Perfect State of the Christian Life
* Chapter 2: Is the State of Priests having Charge of Souls More Perfect than the Religious State
* Chapter 3: What are the Signs and Conditions of a Vocation to Holy Orders

### Part 2: THE CHOICE OF A STATE OF LIFE AND VOCATION.

PRELIMINARY NOTIONS. IS EVERY MAN FREE TO CHOOSE THE STATE OF LIFE THAT SUITS HIM.

#### Section I. Means to know what State of life we should choose

These means are all contained in the three words : pray, reflect, consult.
* Chapter 1: Prayer
* Chapter 2: Reflection
* Chapter 3: Consultation

#### Section 2: Rules to be followed in choosing a State of Life

These rules, which are borrowed from theology and the most eminent masters of the spiritual life, will, we trust, be useful, not only to persons deliberating on the state they should embrace, but to those also who are called upon to advise and direct them in this deliberation.
* Chapter 1: Rules to be followed when a State is Obligatory
* Chapter 2: Rules when a Religious Vocation is Doubtful
* Chapter 3: Rules when those about to choose a State have not even a Doubtful Vocation for the Religious Life
* Chapter 4: Rules to discover what is Most Pleasing to God, when a Person is Free to choose the State which he thinks Proper for himself
* Chapter 5: Three Times Suitable for making a Right Choice
* Chapter 6: How to act after an Election
* Conclusion
* Prayers
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