1. HOLY ORDERS

2. JOURNAL QUESTION:
Describe your experience with someone you know who has received the sacrament of Holy Orders (a bishop, priest, or deacon). What is that person like? What’s one memory you have of them? OR…
Describe how society portrays priests, bishops, or deacons. Is it a positive portrayal? Negative? Both?

3. JOURNAL QUESTION: If you are male: If you are female:
What are the greatest fears/challenges a young man must overcome if he is to consider priesthood today? Why?
If you are female:
What are the greatest fears/challenges a young woman must overcome if she is to consider the religious life (i.e. a “nun” or “sister”) today? Why?

4. JOURNAL QUESTION:
One of the “jobs” of a cardinal is to vote for the next pope. Who would you pick to be the next pope if you were a cardinal? What characteristics would you look for? What kind of background? Experiences? Perspectives? Think outside the box.

5. JOURNAL QUESTIONS:
Knowing what you know about the job expectations of Holy Orders…
What changes would you make to the requirements of those seeking Holy Orders?
What expectations/qualifications would you have for anyone seeking to become a priest or a bishop?
What do you think about ordaining only men? What do you think about celibacy?

6. HOLY ORDERS VIDEO…

7. What Does the Bible Say? BISHOPS: 1 Timothy 3:1-7
PRIESTS: 1 Timothy 5:17-22
DEACONS: 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13

8. ORIGINS GREEK LITERAL MEANING TODAY’S ORDER Episkopos Overseer Bishop
Presbuteros
Elder
Priest
Diakonos
Servant
Deacon

9. EXPECTATIONS OF JOB: BISHOP: PRIEST DEACON
Leads worship & sacraments at a cathedral
Teaches and applies the Gospel
Pastoral Governance
PRIEST
In charge of the pastoral care of EVERYONE within his parish
DEACON
Assigned to assist the pastor of a parish
Ministry of the Word and of the Cup

10. B B B Pr Pr Pr B B Po Pr Pr B B B B Po B Pr Pr

11. WHO IS… The Pope Cardinals Archbishops
He’s a BISHOP. The Bishop of Rome.
He’s considered the First among equals.
Cardinals
They are BISHOPS, too.
They simply have an extra job to do.
If they are under 80 they get to vote for the next pope.
Archbishops
They are just in charge of a bigger area, called an archdiocese.

12. CELIBACY:
This was never a requirement for ordination in the early Church.
By the 4th century it was seen as the ideal
Celibacy became a requirement by the 12th century.
This helped to protect against abuses of power.
Priestly celibacy was reaffirmed at Vatican II.

13. Why Celibacy?
A life of celibacy opens a person up to love everyone unconditionally and EQUALLY
It requires a person to stay faithful to their commitment an not act upon their sexual attractions/urges
…Just like marriage.

14. ORDINATION OF MEN…
According to the Bible, Jesus only chose men to be part of the Twelve Apostles
Today’s bishops are understood as the successors of the Twelve Apostles
Because we have this “deposit of faith,” the Church does not have authority to change this practice

15. SYMBOLISM
Remember, symbols must contain some natural similarity to that which they symbolize
Throughout history, the Church has always been seen as the “bride of Christ.” Therefore, priests are seen as the (bride)grooms.
During Mass, the priest acts “In Persona Christi,” meaning “in the person of Christ.”

16. QUESTIONS:
Are there adequate places of leadership for women in the Catholic Church?
Is the woman’s voice represented faithfully during Mass and homilies?
Would ordaining women to the priesthood increase the numbers of priests?
Would it increase the number of Catholics?