491. In what way is everyone called to live chastity?
(Comp 491) As followers of Christ, the model of all chastity, all the baptised are
called to live chastely in keeping with their particular states of life. Some
profess virginity or consecrated celibacy which enables them to give themselves
to God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. Others, if they
are married live in conjugal chastity, or if unmarried practise chastity in
continence.
“In brief”
(CCC 2394) Christ is the model of chastity. Every baptized
person is called to lead a chaste life, each according to his particular state
of life.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2348) All the baptized are called to chastity. The
Christian has "put on Christ" (Gal 3:27), the model for all chastity.
All Christ's faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their
particular states of life. At the moment of his Baptism, the Christian is pledged
to lead his affective life in chastity. (CCC 2350) Those who are engaged to marry are called to live
chastity in continence. They should see in this time of testing a discovery of
mutual respect, an apprenticeship in fidelity, and the hope of receiving one
another from God. They should reserve for marriage the expressions of affection
that belong to married love. They will help each other grow in chastity.
Reflection
(CCC 2349) "People should cultivate [chastity] in the
way that is suited to their state of life. Some profess virginity or
consecrated celibacy which enables them to give themselves to God alone with an
undivided heart in a remarkable manner. Others live in the way prescribed for
all by the moral law, whether they are married or single" (CDF, Persona humana 11). Married people are
called to live conjugal chastity; others practice chastity in continence: There
are three forms of the virtue of chastity: the first is that of spouses, the
second that of widows, and the third that of virgins. We do not praise any one
of them to the exclusion of the others.... This is what makes for the richness
of the discipline of the Church (St.
Ambrose, De viduis 4, 23: PL 16,
255A).
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