Holy Orders (Sacrament) - Fr. Rob Galea

Summary

The sacrament of Holy Orders in the Catholic Church is a call to serve Christ through the Church, mirroring the service and love in marriage. While all baptized Catholics share in the common priesthood, some are called to the ministerial priesthood through ordination. This involves making vows of obedience, celibacy, and living for the service of others. The priesthood reflects Christ’s love, sacrifice, and dedication to others. Although only men are ordained as priests, both men and women are called to various leadership roles in the Church. The speaker reflects on their personal journey toward the priesthood, finding fulfillment in surrendering to God’s will.

Takeaways

• 😀 Holy Orders is one of the seven sacraments of the Church and one of the two sacraments of service, along with marriage.
• 😀 Marriage is the first sacrament of service, where spouses commit to love and serve each other, putting God first.
• 😀 Holy Orders involves ordained ministers—priests, deacons, and bishops—who are called to serve God and the Church in a unique way.
• 😀 All baptized Catholics share in the common priesthood, called to serve God as kings, prophets, and priests in their daily lives.
• 😀 The common priesthood involves making sacrifices, putting God first, and offering ordinary things to God to make them extraordinary.
• 😀 God calls individuals to the ministerial priesthood, where men are ordained into the priesthood through three levels: deacon, priest, and bishop.
• 😀 A deacon administers marriage and baptism, while a priest can administer five sacraments: baptism, marriage, anointing of the sick, Eucharist, and Reconciliation.
• 😀 Bishops are ordained to administer all seven sacraments, including ordination and Confirmation, and are entrusted with caring for the Church's spiritual needs.
• 😀 Ordination is a divine call to serve as another Christ, and while priests are not superhuman, they are empowered by God's grace to represent His holiness.
• 😀 The priesthood is not about seeking personal success or wealth but about selflessly serving the Church and people, with deep fulfillment and joy in answering God's call.
• 😀 The Church teaches that only men can be ordained to the priesthood, based on the example of Jesus and the twelve male apostles, but both men and women are called to serve in various roles within the Church.

Q & A

What are the two sacraments of service in the Catholic Church?

The two sacraments of service are marriage and holy orders. Marriage is the first, where spouses commit to love and serve each other and the community, while holy orders is the second, where men are called to serve God and the Church in a particular way through priesthood, deaconate, or episcopate.

What is the meaning of the 'common priesthood' shared by all baptized Catholics?

The common priesthood refers to the shared vocation of all baptized Catholics to serve God in three roles: as kings, prophets, and priests. This means they are called to serve others, proclaim the Word of God, and make sacrifices in their everyday lives, offering their actions to God.

What are the three levels of ordination in holy orders?

The three levels of ordination are the diaconate (deacons), the presbyterate (priests), and the episcopate (bishops). Each level has different responsibilities and authority in administering the sacraments, with bishops holding the highest authority.

What sacraments can a deacon administer, and how do they differ from a priest and a bishop?

A deacon can administer two sacraments: baptism and matrimony. A priest can administer five sacraments: baptism, matrimony, anointing of the sick, the Eucharist, and reconciliation. A bishop, on the other hand, can administer all seven sacraments, including ordination and confirmation.

What does it mean for an ordained minister to act 'in the person of Christ'?

When an ordained minister acts 'in the person of Christ,' it means that through their ordination, they represent Christ in a unique and sacred way, particularly during the administration of the sacraments. This is a spiritual responsibility to serve the Church and the people of God.

Why does the Church teach that only men can be ordained as priests?

The Church teaches that only men can be ordained as priests because the priest represents Christ, who was male. Additionally, Christ chose twelve male apostles to be the foundation of the Church. However, both men and women can serve in leadership roles within the Church in other capacities, such as nuns, teachers, or catechists.

What is the significance of the vows a priest makes during his ordination?

During ordination, a priest makes three key vows: obedience to the bishop, celibacy, and a vow to live a life committed to serving the Church. These vows represent the priest's commitment to the community, God, and the Church, and they are made possible through the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

What does the vow of celibacy signify for a priest?

The vow of celibacy signifies a priest's commitment to a universal love for God and the Church, rather than a specific love for a spouse. It reflects the priest's dedication to serving the Church and its people without the distractions of marital obligations.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of holy orders?

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the sacrament of holy orders by empowering and guiding the ordained minister. The Holy Spirit enables them to fulfill their vows and responsibilities, making it possible for them to serve effectively in their roles as priests, deacons, or bishops.

How does the experience of ordination compare to the metaphor of skydiving mentioned in the script?

The metaphor of skydiving illustrates the fear and uncertainty a person may feel before fully committing to the call of ordained ministry. Just as a skydiver initially hesitates but experiences freedom and joy after jumping, someone answering God's call may experience initial fear, but ultimately finds great fulfillment in serving others and the Church.