1. 3. 3 The Sacrament of Holy Orders
Fall 2016
Vocations
Responding to the Call of Christ
Articles 28, 29 30

2. #28 Who May be Called? P128 Requirements of a call to ordination:
Baptism
Men and women were disciples, but only men apostles
Baptized men are called by the Church to ordination
Male Ordination
The Church does not have the authority to act differently
In Persona Christi requires maleness
Priesthood is not a “right”

3. #28 Who May be Called? P129 Requirements of a call to ordination:
Celibacy
Men who are called are required to give themselves totally and completely to their vocation
Celibacy has become the means to demonstrate that total commitment to ordination
The exception is with Permanent Deacons, who may be married
If married deacon is widowed, may not remarry
Married Priest? (shadow box)

4. #28 Who May be Called? P129 Married Priest? (shadow box)
Eastern Catholic Church permits married priests
Married priests cannot become a bishop
If an Eastern Catholic, Orthodox or Anglican priest converts to the Latin (Roman) Church, he may be accepted while married, but may not remarry if widowed

5. #28 Who May be Called? P130 Requirements of a call to ordination:
Necessary Personal Qualities
Baptized male
Mature
Has healthy, balanced relationships with men and women
Healthy, active prayer life; a desire to be a “public Catholic,” willing ness to talk about their faith
Leadership, personal integrity, respect for all people
Desire to live a radical commitment to Our Lord

6. #29 Preparing for Priesthood? P132
Formation – the process of growing richer, deeper in living out one’s faith
St. Pope John Paul II I will give You Shepherds, identified four pillars in priestly formation:
Human formation – personhood, natural virtues
Spiritual formation – interior prayer life
Intellectual formation – comprehend mysteries of faith
Pastoral formation – service ministry
Bishops receive no “formal formation” in preparation for the role of the episcopate

7. #29 Preparing for Priesthood? P132-3
Family Life: The First Formation
Family nurtures vocations by and through their Catholic identity
Healthy happy married parents witness to the joy of sacramental love
Children witness the promise from good spiritual lives
Families that encourage religious vocations, allow young men to initiate the possibility of a religious vocation
Everyday Discipleship (shadow box)
In all we do, we can bring our faith to the effort

8. #29 Preparing for Priesthood? P134
The Seminary
Often the first formal step when considering a vocation, is to discuss it with a Vocation Director
The seminary is a school dedicated to the formation of priests (as well as deacons and ministers)
Men studying for priesthood are called seminarians
4-years of college/minor seminary (Philosophy, Theology, Liberal Arts)
3-years Graduate school/major seminary (Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, Spiritual Theology, Pastoral Ministry and Sacred Scripture; additionally Canon Law, Public Speaking, Church History)
Learn to pray the Liturgy of Hours and have Spiritual Direction
Formation is directed toward becoming true shepherds of souls

9. #30 The Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders P134-5
Transitional Diaconate
Priests must first serve 1 – 2 years as a deacon as part of the preparation to become a priest
Deacons focus on a life of service
Deacons also attend the seminary for a Theology Degree
Deacon Liturgy
1st sitting with congregation, then called from seats to be “set apart”, now as part of clergy (no longer laity)
Make promise of life long promise of celibacy (not permanent deacons) and commitment to pray the Liturgy of Hours

10. #30 The Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders P134-5
Deacon Liturgy -continued
Consecration which confers the sacrament happens with the laying on of hands
Deacons receive a dalmatic (stole) as the vestment they wear in liturgies
They are presented a Book of Gospels as a commissioning to “go and preach the Good News”
They conclude the Eucharistic Celebration by assisting in the rest of the mass

11. #30 The Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders P137
Lectors and Acolytes (shadow box)
Lector – someone commissioned to read Scripture at mass (not the Gospel)
Acolyte – someone who assists as an Alter Server at mass
Any baptized Catholic is able to serve in these roles in their parish
When “Commissioned” for the roles of Lector or Acolyte, a person can serve these roles in any parish (not just their own)

12. #30 The Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders P137
Ordination to Priesthood
Ordination typically takes place in the diocese Cathedral
Deacons are called by name from within the sanctuary to accept the call
The People of God present show their approval (applause) to priesthood
Kneeling before the bishop, each man promises his loyalty and obedience to the Church
All priests and people present pray for the candidates
The congregation prays the Litany of the Saints while the candidates lay face down on the floor in humble prayer (see picture)

13. #30 The Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders P138-9
Ordination to Priesthood – continued
The bishop then lays hands on the candidate to ordain him a priest for eternity
The priest is given a stole and chasuble garments
The priests hands are anointed with Sacred Chrism
The are presented a paten and chalice
The bishop offers them a sign of peace

14. #30 The Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders P139
Episcopal Consecration
Since only the Pope can call a priest to the Episcopacy, the official appointment-letter from the Pope is shown to the faithful
There must be at least three bishops present at the ordination of a new bishop
Similar rites takes place as with a priestly ordination.
They lay hands on the bishop-elect along with any other bishops present
A Book of the Gospels is held over his head, then handed to him
His insignia, ring, crozier and miter are also handed to him

15. #31 The Effects of the Sacrament P141
Sacramental Character
Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders confer an indelible mark on ones soul; i.e. a permanent seal
Therefore each of thee sacraments can only be received once in a lifetime
Baptism and Confirmation are Sacraments of Initiation, therefore confer the character of belonging to Christ; each is incorporated into the Body of Christ
Holy Orders also confers “orders” to serve Christ Church in a consecrated manner

16. #31 The Effects of the Sacrament P141
The Donatist Heresy
In the 4th century, many Christians were being martyred and persecuted for not denying their faith
Some choose to give in to the Romans to save their lives
Once persecutions ends, many of those requested to return to the faith
The Church allowed truly repentant sinners to return to receiving the Sacraments
Donatists declared the sin of apostasy (denying Christ) by a clergy member unforgivable, thus permanently unable to administer valid sacraments
St. Augustine ended this controversy, by teaching that God made the sacraments holy, not the priest

17. #31 The Effects of the Sacrament P141-142
The Grace of the Holy Spirit
For bishops, God grants a special grace of strength
To govern, love, proclaim His gospel
To be a role model for his people
Deacons too, receive this special grace to serve His people

18. #31 The Effects of the Sacrament P143
Permanent Change
Holy Orders is a permanent seal; it cannot be removed (i.e. he cannot be “unordained”)
In rare situations,
A priest or deacon can request “dispensation” from the rights and obligations of his clerical state
Or the Church can dismiss him from his rights and obligations after canonical proceedings
These acts are called “Laicization”, but it does not mean his ordination is invalid
He may continue to live as a layman, but his soul maintains the mark of a priest
Because of this permanent mark, even as a laymen, he can still grant absolution in the case of a near death emergency