-
The teachings of the Catholic Church on holy orders might be summarized in the following points:
- The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism, all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the "common priesthood of the faithful." Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community (CCC 591).
- The bishop receives the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, which integrates him into the episcopal college and makes him the visible head of the particular Church entrusted to him. As successors of the apostles and members of the college, the bishops share in the apostolic responsibility and mission of the whole Church under the authority of the Pope, successor of St. Peter (596).
- The sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred by the bishop's laying on of hands followed by a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordinand the graces of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry (597).
-
Weekly Meditation: Reflect on Sacrifice
Think about the church leaders and ministers that have meant the most to you in your spiritual journey. Who are they? What qualities or commitments made them effective in their ministry?- Take a minute to offer your gratitude to God for these key figures.
The purpose of a priest is to offer sacrifice. (Note: the defining characteristic of a sacrifice is not that it is difficult or painful, but that it is pleasing to God.) In our baptisms, we join in Christ’s priestly offering of his entire life as a work of love to the God he named Father. What life works do you offer to God?
- Take another minute and rededicate an upcoming task or two to God, recognizing your baptismal priesthood at work as you do so.
When we gather for the Eucharist, we bring our weekly works, our troubles, our hopes, and our fears -- our selves, our relationships, our worlds. In the power of the Spirit, the celebrating priest collects us, uniting us with the whole Church in union with Christ our head. The priest offers the whole person of Christ, present on the altar and in the pews, to the Father as a single, perfect prayer of gratitude and praise.
- Take a final minute and let yourself feel connected to the parish, to our priests, to the whole diocese, to the bishops and the church throughout the world, to Christ acting in and through his members. Let this feeling of belonging become a prayer.