Archdiocese of Regina

Home > Vocation: Calling > Single Life > Honoring the Single Vocation

Honoring the Single Vocation

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord could be chosen as a day to honor the single vocation. Inclusiveness is an essential element of evangelization and since the other vocational lifestyles are remembered at certain times, it is only right and good that we honor those called to the single way of life.

Suggestions for Prayers of the Faithful

We pray for the single persons in our midst, who share the gift of themselves and their loving service with us and with the wider community, we pray to the Lord…

That we may support single people in their intellectual, spiritual, emotional and social needs…

For Christians in all walks of life, that we may be grateful for the grace of our particular vocations and persevere in joy…

That each of us may personally know that we are God’s beloved son or daughter …

Blessing Prayer
Loving God, through our baptism you call us to be your beloved sons and daughters and to be pleasing to you. Grant that those who are single people and those called to other vocational lifestyles may know that they are God's beloved and reflect the beauty of this love to others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ideas for Honoring the Single Vocation

Special decorations e.g. baptismal candle, roses, etc.
Involve single people in the liturgy.
Have coffee or a party following the liturgy in their honor.
Sings hymns related to call, commitment, service- the following of Christ.

How the Church can Include Singles (ideas taken from Single Catholics – Making Them Feel at Home, Catholic Update 1984)

Be energetic in inviting single people into the Church – reach out to them personally.
Watch your language, i.e., “We welcome new members to our parish”, rather than “We welcome all new families”.
Invite single persons to leadership positions and to church ministries.
Provide creative opportunities for single people to “connect” with others in the parish, i.e., pick up an elderly person for Mass
Address the real needs of single people. According to Fr. O’Neill (author of a book, The Single Adult ) “Singles aren’t looking for programs or for answers. They want a place to dialogue and hash out the big issues in their lives. They are crying out for a spiritual life.”