THEOLOGY

• ORDER - a group or governing body
• Vocation - Latin “vocare” meaning to call​
• Common Priesthood is received through Baptism
• • Ministerial Priesthood – received through Ordination​
• TWO KINDS OF PRIESTHOOD​

  
  

  • Common Priesthood
  • Ministerial Priesthood
• • Holy Order is the “sacrament of apostolic ministry” through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church to the end of time​
• biblical foundation - God chose one of the twelve sons of Israel, Levi, and his descendants, and set them apart  for liturgical service​ (Leviticus 8: 1-12)​
• • The Catholic Tradition has brought the Four Basic Dimensions of Christian Ministry together in the priesthood:​

  1. Disciple – follow Jesus​
  2. Apostle – someone who is sent​
  3. Presbyter – an elder responsible for the pastoral care of the Church​
  4. Presider at the Eucharist – the priest acts in persona Christi
• CHRIST: THE UNIQUE MEDIATOR BETWEEN ​GOD AND MAN​
• Degrees of holy orders

  • Episcopate​
  • Presbyterate​
  • Diaconate
• THE EPISCOPATE (BISHOPS)​

  • To teach​
  • To govern​
  • To sanctify
• THE PRESBYTERATE (PRESBYTERS)​

  • Co-workers of the bishops​
• THE DIACONATE (DEACONS)​

  To serve the People of God in liturgy, in preaching and in works of charity
• • Matter – Laying on of Hands​
• Form – Prayer of Ordination
• Minister – bishop (Local Ordinary)
• Recipient – a baptized man 
• CELIBACY​ - the renunciation of the right to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of God.