MEETING JESUS IN THE SACRAMENTSCHAPTER 8THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS

Why Men Become Priests?Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men

WHY BECOME A PRIEST?

Many men are attracted to the essential sacramental role the priest has in the Church.

The examples of men who are already ordained inspire those considering the priesthood.

Who Can Be Ordained?Holy Orders is the means for perpetuating the mission of Christ.

No one has the right to receive Holy Orders.

Holy Orders is reserved only for baptized males.

The Church is bound to the choice made by the Lord himself not to include women among the Twelve.

This practice is part of the Churchs Deposit of Faith.

CelibacyThe renunciation of marriage made by those who receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders for more perfect observance of chastity

This commitment is in imitation of Christ

It is a sign of new life and service to which the Churchs ministry is made holy

Areas of FormationHUMAN FORMATION

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

INTELLECTUAL FORMATION

PASTORAL FORMATION

Understanding the Sacrament of Holy OrdersThe orders of bishop and priest enable the one who is ordained to act in the person of Christ.

The order for deacon is intended to help and serve the priests and bishops in their work.

Priesthood in the Old TestamentIn early Israel, the father of the family acted as priest.

During the Exodus, Moses selected seventy elders to aid him in discerning Gods will.

After the Temple was constructed, the main role of priests was Temple duty.

The Priesthood of ChristThe ministerial priesthood shares the unique priesthood of Christ and is at the service of the common priesthood.

The Apostles soon realized they needed help in their ministry.

The Apostles chose men to serve as presbyters and selected episcopoi to continue their work after their deaths.

Brief History of the Sacrament2nd Century: bishop ordained priests and deacons to help him in his ministry4th Century: clergy gained more privileged statusMiddle Ages: diaconate a step to priesthoodInfluence of monasticism (celibacy)Council of Trent: seminary training for priestsVatican II: restored the permanent diaconate; called for a New Rite of Ordination

Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Orders

The Ordination of BishopsFullness of Holy Orders

The ordinary confers the sacrament on the bishop-elect through laying on of hands and a consecratory prayer

Receives Book of the Gospels, ring, mitre, and crosier

The Ordination of PriestsPresented to the bishop after assent of the community

The bishop confers the sacrament on the ordinand through laying on of hands and a consecratory prayer

Receives a stole and a chasuble and has hands anointed with chrism

The Ordination of DeaconsTransitional or permanent

The bishop confers the sacrament on the ordinands through laying on of hands and a consecratory prayer

Receives Book of the Gospels, a stole, and a dalmatic

The Grace of the Sacrament of Holy OrdersHoly orders conforms the ordained minister even more closely to Christ, giving him an indelible character.

The Grace of the Sacrament of Holy OrdersACTING AS CHRIST THE HIGH PRIEST

ACTING AS CHRIST THE TEACHER

ACTING AS CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Ordination Leads to a Ministry of ServiceHoly Orders gives bishops,priests, and deacons special graces to be faithful to their vocation

Bishops and priests serve the People of God by teaching, worship, and pastoral governance

Ordination Leads to a Ministry of ServiceService to the Universal ChurchOrdination to the episcopate makes each new bishop a member of the episcopal college.

The pope, as head of the college of bishops, has the added charism of infallibility.Service to the Local ChurchTo preach the Gospel to all

To sanctify the People of God by providing the Eucharist and other sacraments

To govern the parish through pastoral ministry

Ordination Leads to a Ministry of ServiceFacilitating a Call to ServeThe history of every priestly vocation, indeed of every Christian vocation, is the history of an inexpressible dialogue between the love of God who calls and the freedom of the individuals who lovingly respond to him.

St. Maximilian KolbePolish priest who was martyred at Auschwitz after sacrificing himself in place of a young Jewish man, saying these words:

I AM A CATHOLIC PRIEST