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

2. Quick Write In your opinion, why do some men want to become priest?
Be sure to provide a thorough explanation

3. “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.

4. 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 Church’s Deposit of Faith.

5. 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

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. The Priesthood of Christ
The 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.

10. 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: diaconate a step to priesthood
Influence of monasticism (celibacy)
Council of Trent: seminary training for priests
Vatican II: restored the permanent diaconate; called for a New Rite of Ordination

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

12. The Ordination of Bishops
Fullness 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Ordination Leads to a Ministry of Service
Facilitating a Call to Serve
The 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.

20. 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”

21. Group Activity Work in groups of 3 to complete the Handout 8B
Discuss the meaning of each passage and then write a short statement showing how the passage relates ordained ministry to Christ either as PRIEST, TEACHER, or shepherd.
Make sure you provide a rationale for your choice.