Chapter 7 Holy Orders And Matrimony

Holy Orders “Common priesthood of the faithful” means We are all called to serve others. Sacrament of Holy Orders = consecrates certain baptized men to one of 3 degrees of a sacred order: bishop priest deacons

Why is Holy Orders a sacrament of Service? Those who are ordained serve others … in the name of Christ

3 things a bishop and priest must do: – Proclaim and teach God’s word – Lead the community in worship – Guide and rule God’s people by imitating Jesus’ model of humble service Note: the Pope and Cardinals are also bishops

The Pope approves the ordination of a bishop and Cardinal Only a bishop may consecrate a bishop Only a bishops may ordain priests

Essential sign/rite of Holy Orders is: – The bishop lays his hands on the head of the one being ordained, followed by a prayer of consecration

In the Roman rite (headed by the Pope) a married man my NOT be ordained to the priesthood. A widower may be ordained a priest.

Deaconate There are 2 types of deacons: Transitional deacons : these are men studying to be priests. Their deaconate year is the LAST year before being ordained a priest

Permanent deacons: these are men who study to be a deacon. They do not continue studies to be ordained a priest. Married or single men may become permanent deacons. When a married man decides to study to be a permanent deacon he makes a promise that if his wife precedes him in death, he will NOT remarry. When a single man decides to become a permanent deacon, he makes a promise NEVER to marry.

Celibacy The state of being unmarried that priests and consecrated religious priests, brothers and sisters choose in order to dedicate their lives totally to Jesus Christ.

Matrimony In the book of Genesis: God made both men and women in His image to be companions to one another and remain faithful to each other. Jesus supports marriage and proclaims that marriage should be a permanent, exclusive love relationship between a man and a woman.

True consent in a Catholic Marriage The couple must enter into the sacrament of matrimony of their own FREE WILL. They must commit to a lifelong covenant of love Must be capable of sexual intercourse Must be open to raising a family if God blesses them with children

The ministers of the sacrament of Matrimony are the bride and groom themselves. The priest or deacon acts as the official witness of the Church.

Divorce It is a civil act dissolving the legal ties joining a civilly married couple. Note: Any man and woman who will be married to each other must obtain a marriage license.

Annulment It is the Catholic Church’s official declaration that what appeared to be a valid Christian marriage, in fact, was not because one of the partners failed to give true, free consent to the marriage or never intended to have children.