SACRAMENT

OF THE HOLY ORDERS

ENABLES THE CHURCH
TO CARRY OUT
THROUGH HISTORY
THE MISSION AND MINISTRY
WHICH CHRIST ENTRUSTED
TO THE APOSTLES.

Jewish experience of Old

Testament priesthood
traditional understanding
includes quality of
service, authority and
leadership

People of Jesus time regarded

Jesus as person who served,
taught with authority and who
somehow had leadership
qualities but he was not
identified as a priest
Common titles
associated/given to Jesus
Rabbi (Mk 9:5)
Teacher (Lk 11:45)
Lord (Jn 11:39)
Messiah (Mk 8:29)
Prophet (Lk 7:16)

Years after His

death and
resurrection that
Jesus was called
HIGH PRIEST
(Heb. 4:14, 5:10)

Happened as result of
reflection of early
communities on
meaning of Christs
passion and death led
them to conclusion
that his death on cross
was a sacrifice
As sacrifice, Jesus was
both priest (person
who offers sacrifice on
behalf of people) and
victim

Witness of Jesus life of service made people

recognize Him as priest it was from this example
of service that early Christian community
determined directives and interpretations about
understanding and practice of ministry

TWO PARTICIPATIONS IN THE ONE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST

I- COMMON PRIESTHOOD
THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
OF BELIEVERS
THROUGH PARTICIPATION
EACH ACCORDING TO
HIS OWN VOCATION
THROUGH BAPTISM AND
CONFIRMATION,
THE FAITHFUL ARE
CONSECRATED TO BE A
HOLY PRIESTHOOD

II- MINISTERIAL PRIESTHOOD

ALSO KNOWN AS
HIERARCHICAL PRIESTHOOD
AT THE SERVICE OF THE
COMMON PRIESTHOOD
MEANS BY WHICH CHRIST
UNCEASINGLY BUILDS UP
AND LEADS HIS CHURCH
TRANSMITTED THROUGH
THE SACRAMENT OF THE
HOLY ORDERS

Ordination
Sacrament in which the church sets aside
men or women to be ministers in the
church.
The outward and visible sign is the laying
on of hand and anointing with oil.
The inward and invisible grace is the gift of
the Holy Spirit to do that job.

THREE DEGREES
I- EPISCOPAL ORDINATION
FULLNESS OF THE
SACRAMENT OF HOLY
ORDERS
IN THE TRADITION OF THE
CHURCH, BISHOPS ARE
REGARDED AS
TRANSMITTERS OF THE
APOSTOLIC LINE
KNOWN AS THE HIGH
PRIESTHOOD

BY VIRTUE
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
GIVEN TO THEM,
THEY ARE CONSIDERED
AS THE AUTHENTIC
TEACHERS OF THE FAITH
AND HAVE BEEN MADE
PONTIFFS AND PASTORS

Follows first 2 preceding rites

At least 2 bishops present during ceremonies following ancient
tradition of Church
MATTER: during IMPOSITION OF HANDS, all bishops present lay
their hands on bishop-elect
Homily and prayer of consecration emphasize bishops
responsibility to serve people of God as faithful overseer and
guardian, working closely with all bishops in ministry of teaching,
governing and sanctifying
FORM: PRAYER OF CONSECRATION (expresses ministry of bishop)
You, dear Brother, have been chosen by the Lord. Remember you
are chosen from among men and appointed to act for men and
women in relation to God. Title bishop is one not of honor but of
function; a bishop should strive to serve rather than rule.
Counsel of the Master: the greater should behave as if he were
the least and the leader as if he were the one who serves.

II- ORDINATION OF PRIESTS

CO-WORKERS OF THE
BISHOPS
THE FUNCTION
OF THE BISHOPS MINISTRY
WAS HANDED OVER
IN A SUBORDINATE DEGREE
TO PRIESTS

SO THAT
THEY MIGHT BE APPOINTED
IN THE ORDER OF PRIESTHOOD
AND BE CO-WORKERS
OF THE EPISCOPAL ORDER
FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF THE
APOSTOLIC MISSION
ENTRUSTED BY CHRIST.

 Takes place w/in celebration of Eucharist

(Saturday/Sunday) at cathedral/parish of one who shall be
ordained
Eucharistic celebration regular rite of Mass until
proclamation of Gospel Bishop sits in his chair in front of
altar, wears miter candidate called forward, presented
by priest designated to do the role
MINISTER: BISHOP inquires about candidates readiness to
accept and receive the sacrament
the one who presented the candidate responds (After
inquiry among people of Christ and upon recommendation
of those concerned with their training, I testify that the
candidate has been found worthy.) bishop indicates that
he accepts recommendation congregation responds
(Thanks be to God) bishop delivers homily (enlightens
people about dignity of priesthood, responsibilities and
duties of priest)

 FORM: candidate is asked about willingness to receive (he

publicly declare his VOWS to faithfully fulfil his ministry as
priest in collaboration with bishop)
congregation is invited to join in prayer and Litany of
Saints
MATTER: ordination takes place as bishop LAYS HIS HANDS
ON THE CANDIDATE other priests present impose hands
on candidate as well: sign of solidarity and communion Solemn prayer of consecration led by bishop symbolic
actions are made: CANDIDATE INVESTED WITH STOLE &
CHASUBLE, ANOINTING OF NEWLY-ORDAINED PRIESTS
HANDS WITH OIL OF CHRISM

 Bishop presents to new priest the symbols of Eucharist:

gifts of bread and wine new priest accepts chalice (holds
wine) and paten (holds host) bishop says Accept from
the holy people of God the gifts to be offered to Him.
Know what you are doing and imitate the mystery you
celebrate; model your life on the mystery of the Lords
cross. bishop extends sign of peace to new priest: sign
of fraternal charity and care new priest joins bishop and
other celebrants in concelebrating their first Mass

III- ORDINATION OF DEACONS

IN ORDER TO SERVE
AT THE LOWER LEVEL
OF THE HIERARCHY
ASSIST THE BISHOPS AND
PRIESTS IN THE FOLLOWING
TASKS:
IN THE CELEBRATION
OF THE DIVINE MYSTERIES,
ABOVE ALL IN THE EUCHARIST,
IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF
COMMUNION

ASSISTING AT
AND BLESSING MARRIAGES
PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
AND PREACHING
PRESIDING OVER FUNERALS
DEDICATING THEMSELVES TO
VARIOUS MINISTRIES OF
CHARITY

 Follows same general pattern as to priesthood but w/

some differences
In homily, bishop outlines distinctive particular duties:
He will draw ne strength from gift of Holy Spirit; help
bishop and body of priests as minister of the word, altar
and charity; make himself a servant of all; proclaim
Gospel, prepare sacrifice and give the Lords body and
blood to community of believers; at Bishops discretion,
bring Gods word to believer and unbeliever alike; to
preside over public prayer; to baptize; assist at
marriages and bless them; give viaticum to dying; lead
rites of burial

 Once consecrated by laying on of hands that come from

apostles and bound more closely to alter: will perform
works of charity in the name of the bishop/pastor
Promise of celibacy for unmarried candidates and
diaconate
MATTER: LAYING ON OF HANDS
FORM: PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
MINISTER: by BISHOP
Installation of stole and dalmatic presentation of Book
of the Gospels

THE ESSENTIAL RITE

FOR OF THE SACRAMENT OF
THE HOLY ORDERS
FOR THE THREE DEGREES
CONSIST IN THE BISHOPS
IMPOSITION OF THE HANDS ON
THE ORDINAND
AND IN THE BISHOPS SPECIFIC
CONSECRATORY PRAYER
ASKING GOD FOR THE
OUTPOURING OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT
AND HIS GIFTS PROPER FOR
THE MINISTRY
OF THE CANDIDATE BEING
ORDAINED.

WHO CAN CONFER THIS

SACRAMENT?
BISHOPS,
WHO ARE THE SUCCESSORS
OF THE APOSTLES
WHOM CHRIST CHOSE TO
SHARE IN HIS MISSION AND
AUTHORITY

WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS

SACRAMENT?
ONLY A BAPTIZED MAN (VIR)
VALIDLY RECEIVES SACRED
ORDINATION

EFFECTS OF THE
SACRAMENT
INDELIBLE CHARACTER
THIS SACRAMENT
CONFIGURES THE RECIPIENT
TO CHRIST
BY A SPECIAL GRACE
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
SO THAT HE MAY SERVE AS
CHRISTS INTRUMENT
FOR HIS CHURCH

GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE GRACE
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
PROPER TO THIS SACRAMENT
IS CONFIGURATION
TO CHRIST AS PRIEST,
TEACHER AND PASTOR
OF WHOM THE ORDAINED IS
MADE A MINISTER.