Sacrament of Holy Order

What is made visible through the offices of bishop and priest?

The presence of Christ as Head of the Church is made visible.
What are the two types of priesthood in Christs Church?
The two types are the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial
priesthood.
How does the laity exercise the common priesthood?
The laity exercises the common priesthood by offering themselves, their work, and
their activities to God in union with the Sacrifice of Christ, according to their
particular states in life.
How do those in Holy Orders exercise their ministerial priesthood?
Ordained ministers serve the Word of God and his Sacraments. They are the means
by which Christ builds up and leads his Church in service to the common priesthood.
What are the three degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
They are bishop, priest, and deacon.
Who are the Levites?
The men of the tribe of Levi were appointed priests of the Mosaic covenant because
they were the only tribe to remain loyal to God during the golden-calf incident. They
were subsequently responsible for leading worship and teaching and for guarding
and maintaining the Temple in Jerusalem.
Who are the Old Testament elders?
In the Old Testament, the elders were a group of seventy men who exercised some
of the power that God gave to Moses to assist him in governing the Chosen People.
Who is Melchizedek?
Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High, who brought bread and wine to
Abraham and blessed him after his return from battle (cf. Gn 14: 1820).
When did Christ establish the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Orders at the Last Supper when he
commanded his Apostles, Do this in remembrance of me (Lk 22:19).

How is the mission that Christ entrusted to the Apostles handed down
through all ages?
His mission has been handed down through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
What does a bishop do?
A bishop usually governs a local church called a diocese (or eparchy) and shares
responsibility for the good of the whole Church as a member of the college of
bishops in union with and under the Pope.
How does a member of the faithful become a bishop?
He is appointed by the Pope.
Of whom is a bishop a successor?
A bishop is a successor of the Apostles.
To what extent does a bishop participate in the priesthood of Christ?
A bishop participates in the fullness of the priesthood of Christ.
What sacramental authority does the bishop exercise?
A bishop has the authority to celebrate all of the Sacraments, including the
Sacrament of Holy Orders by which a man is ordained a bishop, priest, or deacon.
What does a priest do?
A priest serves his bishop either in a particular diocese or through the mission of a
particular religious community.
How does one become a priest?
He is ordained by a bishop.
To what extent does a priest participate in the priesthood of Christ?
With proper authority, a priest celebrates or presides at all of the Sacraments,
except Holy Orders.
What is a priests highest act?
A priests highest act is the celebration of the Holy Mass.
To whom does a diocesan priest pledge obedience?
A diocesan priest pledges obedience to his local bishop.

To whom does a religious priest pledge obedience?

A religious priest pledges his obedience to his religious superior.
What services do deacons provide?
They assist bishops and priests in the celebration of the Sacraments. At Mass, they
proclaim the Gospel, preach homilies, and distribute Holy Communion. They also
celebrate Baptisms, witness marriages, and perform ministries of service and
charity.

What powers do priests have that deacons do not?

Deacons cannot consecrate the Eucharist, hear Confessions, or celebrate the
Sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick or Confirmation; priests can do all these.

What is the difference between a transitional and permanent deacon?

Transitional deacons are seminarians who enter the diaconate as a step toward
ordination to the priesthood, and they serve in this capacity for at least six months
and usually no more than a year. Permanent deacons, by contrast, are single or
married men over the age of thirty-five who are ordained to the diaconate without
the intention of later receiving ordination to the priesthood.
Extension: The difference is purely intention; each is equally and fully a deacon

Who may receive Holy Orders?

A baptized male of mature age and excellent character with an interior and exterior
vocation to the priesthood may receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
What is an interior vocation to the priesthood?
An interior vocation to the priesthood is ones sense that he is called to this by God.
What is an exterior vocation to the priesthood?
An exterior vocation to the priesthood is the discernment of a bishop or religious
superior that a candidate is called to priesthood.
Does anyone have a right to be ordained?
No. No one has a right to be ordained; it is a call from God.
Why must a candidate for the priesthood undergo a significant period of
training and discernment?
He must understand the nature and responsibilities of Holy Orders; have a sound
grasp of Catholic theology; and, in most cases, be willing to commit to lifelong
celibacy.
What is the benefit of celibacy for a Catholic priest?
By remaining celibate, the priest can dedicate his mind, his heart, and his time
entirely and directly to the service of God and his fellow men and women.
Are all Catholic priests celibate?
No; in the Latin Rite, a small number of married clergymen from other Christian
Churches or ecclesial communities have converted to Catholicism and been
ordained as Catholic priests under an indult, or special permission. The Eastern
Catholic Churches, especially outside North America, normally ordain married men
to the priesthood.
What is the matter of Holy Orders?
The matter of Holy Orders is the laying on of hands by the bishop.
What is the form of Holy Orders?

The form of Holy Orders is the consecratory prayer asking God for the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit to give the gifts proper to the ministry to which the person is being
ordained, whether it be a bishop, priest, or deacon.

Who is the minister of Holy Orders?

The minister of Holy Orders is always a bishop.
Where is the Rite of Holy Orders usually celebrated?
The Rite of Holy Orders is usually celebrated at a cathedral.
What is the essential Rite of Ordination in all the Catholic traditions?
The essential Rite of Ordination in all Catholic traditions is the laying on of hands by
the bishop(s) and the prayer of consecration.
What are some of the other rites that occur during a Latin Rite ordination?
Other rites that occur during ordination in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church
include the presentation and election of the ordinand, instruction by the bishop, an
examination of the candidate, the Litany of Saints, an anointing of the candidate,
and the presentation of the gifts proper to the level of ordination being conferred.
What is the origin of the term order?
In the days of the Roman Empire, the Latin word ordo referred to a governing body
in which membership was considered sacred.
What is the meaning of order with respect to the Sacrament of Holy
Orders?
It indicates that a man who has been ordained exercises a hierarchical role in the
Church and has also been consecrated by a gift of the Holy Spirit into sacred service
to God, the Church, and all people.
What three powers does the ministerial priesthood possess, making it
distinct from the common priesthood of the faithful?
Only the ministerial priesthood possesses the powers of teaching, divine worship,
and pastoral governance.
Is an ordained priest guaranteed to be free from sin and error?
No; ordained priests are in no way immune from sin and error.

Does a priests sin or error impede his power to celebrate the Sacraments?
No; the Sacraments are efficacious regardless of the relative holiness or sinfulness
of the priest who celebrates them. This is the principle ex opere operato.

What is a monsignor?
Monsignor, which means my lord, is a title of honor bestowed on some priests and
is also a common way to address a bishop.
What is an archbishop?
An archbishop is a bishop who is the head of an archdiocese, which is a larger
diocese having oversight of a region.
What is a cardinal?
This is the title of a special papal advisor, one of whose functions is to elect a new
Pope when the Holy See becomes vacant.
What is reverend?
This title is used for all clergy and superiors in religious life.
Why does the Catholic Church ordain only men to Holy Orders?
Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition have always taught that only men can be
called to Holy Orders. The Church maintains this tradition in faithfulness to Christ.