MEETING JESUS IN THE SACRAMENTS CHAPTER 8 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” 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? Three degrees of priesthood: episcopate (bishop), presbyterate (priest), diaconate (deacon) 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 priest acts in the person of Christ.

Who can be ordained? The Church is bound to the choice made by the Lord himself not to include women among the Twelve. Jesus made this choice not because of societal pressure (Jesus was countercultural in every way by the way he interacted with women. Even Mary, the first disciple, was not chosen to be a priest. Our gender is not incidental. Similar to motherhood – priesthood is unmerited and for the good of another. This practice is part of the Church’s Deposit of Faith. It’s infallible.

Celibacy The 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 Church’s ministry is made holy. Enables the priest to dedicate himself more fully to Christ and the service of the Church. Sign of the future kingdom – no marriage in heaven. The priest is married to the Church (the Bride). Even those who are called to marriage must make a vow to faithful and true to his/her spouse and family. No indication that married life is easier than celibate life.

INTELLECTUAL FORMATION Areas of Formation HUMAN FORMATION SPIRITUAL FORMATION INTELLECTUAL FORMATION PASTORAL FORMATION

Understanding the Sacrament of Holy Orders The 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 Testament In early Israel, the father of the family acted as priest. During the Exodus, Moses selected seventy elders to aid him in discerning God’s will. After the Temple was constructed, the main role of priests was Temple duty. The Old Testament priest (hiereus/ίέρος) and pagan priests offered sacrifices apart from themselves

The Priesthood of Christ The ministerial priesthood (presbyter/πρεσβίτερ) shares the unique priesthood of Christ and is at the service of the common priesthood. It is Christ Himself who offers to the his unbloody sacrifice, through the priest at Mass The Apostles soon realized they needed help in their ministry. The Apostles chose men to serve as presbyters and selected episcopoi (έπιςκοποί/bishops) to continue their work after their deaths.

Brief History of the Sacrament 2nd Century: bishop ordained priests and deacons to help him in his ministry 4th Century: clergy gained more privileged status Middle Ages: decline in the diaconate and it became more of a step to priesthood. Minor orders (various steps to the priesthood) developed. Influence of monasticism (celibacy became a requirement in the 12th century) Council of Trent: called for seminary training for priests Vatican II: restored the permanent diaconate; also reminded the church of the “ministerial priesthood” and the “common priesthood” shared by all.

Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Orders Holy Orders is celebrated and exercised in three degrees: Episcopacy Presbyterate Diaconate

The Ordination of Bishops Fullness of Holy Orders Another bishop 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 Priests Presented 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 Deacons Transitional 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 Orders Holy orders conforms (configures) the ordained minister even more closely to Christ, giving him an indelible character.

The Grace of the Sacrament of Holy Orders The call to Holy Orders involves the man to: Become a man for others – the motive for living is not for wealth or fame, but to serve the will of God. Genuine love for God and for others Live for the Kingdom and not for pleasure. *Call to celibacy – not as a discipline, but to develop a greater capacity to love

The Grace of the Sacrament of Holy Orders ACTING AS CHRIST THE HIGH PRIEST ACTING AS CHRIST THE TEACHER ACTING AS CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD It is Christ Himself, through the priest, who administers to us the sacraments

Ordination Leads to a Ministry of Service Holy 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 Service Service to the Universal Church Service to the Local Church Ordination 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. To 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

The “Job” Description of a Priest To preach the Gospel to all  PREACH To sanctify the People of God by providing the Eucharist and other Sacraments  SANCTIFY The priest/deacon are obligated to pray the Liturgy of the Hours or the breviary 5 times a day on behalf of the Church To govern/lead the parish or community through ministry  GOVERN

Other Information Some priests who have served the Church faithfully and those who hold important office in the Vatican are given the title of a Monsignor. Some bishops are given the title Cardinal are called to serve as papal advisors and are primarily responsible for electing the new Pope . The Pope is elected by the College of Cardinals.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Polish priest who was martyred at Auschwitz after sacrificing himself in place of a young Jewish man, saying these words: “I AM A CATHOLIC PRIEST”