Sacrament of Holy Orders

Old Testament

Through Moses, God called all the Israelites to be a

kingdom of priest, a holy nation (Exodus 19:6).

The old testament priesthood was powerless to effect definitive salvation.

It was never able to perfect the worshippers by the same sacrifices offered continually year after year.

New Testament

Jesus Himself personally called and invited the twelve apostles.

The calling of the apostles sprang solely from Jesus free election.

The end is a personal communication with Jesus, and a mission to preach and heal the world of the power of evil.

Form and Matter

The Sacrament of Orders is conferred by the imposition of hands and prayer of consecration which the original liturgical books prescribe for each grade.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines or the CBCP: On the Form of Ordination
The SCSDW (Sacred Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship) released the text of the definitive essential form in English of the rite of ordination of bishops, priests, and deacons and approved it for use in the Philippines on August 12, 1977.

Recipient

Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination.

Minister

The legitimate bishops, are given the duty and the privilege to hand on the gift of the Spirit, the apostolic line. Thus, they alone can validly confer the three degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Indelible spiritual character Grace of the Holy Spirit

Effects

Common Priesthood and Ministerial Priesthood Distinguished

The common priesthood of the faithful is exercised by the unfolding of the baptismal grace a life of faith, hope and charity, a life according to the priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood.

Three Decrees or Grades of Holy Orders

Ordination
The sacramental act by which one is integrated into the orders of bishops, of priests and of deacons. It goes beyond a simple designation, delegation or institution by the community since it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit, enabling the exercise of a sacred power which can only come from Christ himself, through his Church (CCC 1538).

The essential of the ordination rite consists in the imposition of the hands, and the words of consecration. through which the grace of the Holy Spirit is given and a sacred character impressed (LG 21).

Two degrees of ministerial participation in the priesthood of Christ:

a.Episcopacy b.Presbyterate

Diaconate
Intended to help and serve them

Episcopate (Bishops)

The bishop receives the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders

Integrates him into the Episcopal College Makes him visible head of the particular Church entrusted to him

Presbyterate (Priests)

Priests are united with the bishops in sacerdotal dignity

At the same time depend on them in the exercise of their pastoral functions They are called to be the bishops prudent co-workers. They form around their bishop, the Presbyterium, which bears total responsibility with him for the particular Church They receive from the bishop the charge of a parish community or a determinate ecclesial office

Diaconate (Deacons)

Deacons are ordained for tasks of service of the Church

They do not receive the ministerial priesthood but ordination confers on them important functions in the ministry of the Word, divine pastoral worship, pastoral governance and the

service of charity
Tasks which they must carry out under the authority of their bishop.

Source: CCC par. 1554, 1594, 1595, 1596

The end.