Holy Orders is the Sacrament through which men receive from God the grace to perform the sacred duties Christ entrusted to His Church. The Twelve Apostles were the first priests and bishops of the Church.
"Vocation does not come from a voice "out there" calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice "in here" calling me to be the person I was born to be."Thomas Merton
Through the ages men have been ordained as bishops and priests by the laying on of hands to continue the mission of Christ and His Church.
In the early Church, the order of Deacon was created to assist the priest in the mission and service to the Christian community. (Acts 6:2-6) Today, deacons help the priest at the celebration of Mass, the baptism of children, the witnessing of marriage, and the celebration of funerals. They are ordained to serve and care for the needs of the Church's faithful as well as the poor, the sick, and marginalized of the world. The permanent diaconate is often comprised of married men. Through a call from God and affirmed by the local bishop these men assist in parishes.
In the Latin Rite, a man who becomes a priest must be unmarried. He is to promise a life of chastity and obedience to the Church and his local bishop. His call comes from God and is affirmed through his bishop. By the laying on of hands the man becomes a priest who acts in the Person of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, anointing of the sick, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and all the other Sacraments.
Lumen Gentium, on the Church in the Modern World
“Christ the Lord… made the new people (the Church) ‘a kingdom of priests to his God and Father.’ The baptized, by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are consecrated as a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, that through all their christian activities they may offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the marvels of him who has called them out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
This was an amazing change in the Church. In some ways it laid the groundwork for lay extraordinary ministers during Eucharist, for the required parish council, and the right to receive the Eucharist in the hands whereas before only the priest was considered worthy enough to touch the transubstantiated host. The common priesthood “shares in the one priesthood of Christ,” and “The faithful, indeed, by virtue of their royal priesthood, share in the offering of the Eucharist.”
Priesthood of All Believers
All Christians are called to be a gift of self to one another, and not just with family members and friends. Some of us are also called by God to be total gift of self to the People of God, the Church - as prayerful catalysts of spirituality and active-love among other disciples of Jesus Christ.
Priesthood of Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles is exercised in the Church until the end of time. It is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate and diaconate.
A Bishop, by virtue of his ordination, is the direct successor of the Apostles. His principle task is to teach, sanctify and shepherd the members of the Church.
A Presbyter (or priest) is ordained to assist the bishops in their ministry, and are tasked with celebrating the Eucharist, administering the Sacraments and spreading the Good News.
A Deacon is ordained to assist the bishops and priests. They assist at the Eucharist, distribute Holy Communion, baptize, bless marriages, proclaim and preach the Gospel, preside over funerals and above all, dedicate themselves to ministries of charity.
 |
 |