Thomas,

God will never allow anything to happen that He can't bring a good out of. His priority is your salvation, and we should accept whatever happens as something God permits for our good. 

I cannot guarantee you will get married or connect with this lady. It may be in God's grand design He has something better for you. I myself have never married and I'm in my fifties. I am tempted to be sad, but I trust God has a reason and that He knows what's best for me, so I rejoice instead.

What we want isn't always what is best for us in the long run.

Dear Thomas,

When I talked to my godchild about vocation and calling, I told him this is something only he can decide.

I told him he should focus on three things:

1. What he can do (has the ability to do.)
2. What he likes doing, and
3. Pray for discernment on what his calling is in life.
   
   We were all created for a specific purpose in life.
   Through prayer, we have to discern what that calling is.
   

God cannot control your Catholic friends’ choices; only she can make the choices, hopefully through prayer.

If you feel you are being called to the married life that’s GREAT!!! I've lived long enough to know there is a right way, and a wrong way, of doing things.

Assuming you are Catholic, marrying a Catholic fiancée sacramentally in the Church is the best way to go. Think of the sacraments as the Krazy Glue that will keep your marriage together if you regularly obey the commandments and renew your weekly covenant at Sunday Mass.

If you find someone who wishes to spend the rest of their life with you, you have to be able to explain to her the importance of practicing Catholic values in your marriage.

Ask the Lord to bring women into your life who have a similar interest, outlook, and love for the Church.

The last thing you want is to marry someone who doesn't see faith and religious values as important. This could lead to mixed emotions and hurt feelings.

Mike