"Sacrament of Holy Orders" (USCCA, Chapter 20)

OPENING PRAYER

Prayer for Priests

Gracious and loving God,
we thank you for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength
they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.

Source: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayer-for-priests.cfm

"THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS"
—CCC, Nos. 1533–1600
Which priests have had a positive influence on your life?

The Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Holy Orders and Marriage), are directed toward the salvation of others. Those who receive these Sacraments grow in holiness through their service to others. In this session, we will discuss briefly the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Jesus Christ, as the Risen Lord and our high priest, “is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25). Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and humanity, who continues to offer salvation to all. Although all the baptized share in Christ’s priesthood, called the “common priesthood of the faithful,” the ministerial priesthood shares this in a special way.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders confers on the ordained ministers a sacred power for the service of the faithful. Ordained ministers exercise their service on behalf of the People of God through teaching, divine worship, and pastoral governance. These ministries are essential for the life of the Church.

Through this Sacrament, the Church recognizes three degrees or “orders” of ordained ministry:: bishop, priest, and deacon. The Sacrament of Ordination “confers the gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a ‘sacred power’…which can only come from Christ himself through the Church” (CCC, no. 1538). The ordained bishop and priest serve the Church in the person of Christ as the head of the Body, as well as the Church when presenting to God the prayer of the Church, especially in the Eucharist.

Through this Sacrament, a bishop is given the grace to teach in the name of Christ; to sanctify the Church through the celebration of the Sacraments; to guide, govern, and defend the Church; and to be a sign of the unity of the Church. A priest is given the grace to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to celebrate the Sacraments (except Holy Orders), and to shepherd the people entrusted to him. The deacon is given the grace to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to baptize, to assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist, to assist at or bless marriages, preside at funerals, and serve the community through works of charity.

The Church teaches that only baptized males may be ordained by the Sacrament of Holy Orders. This Sacrament, like the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, confers an indelible or permanent character on the ordained person that cannot be
repeated.

Please read this week USCCA,Chapter 20, "Holy Orders," (pages 261–275), the CCC, Nos. 1533–1600, (pages 383–399), and the Compendium, Nos. 321–336
VIDEOS

"The Sacrament of Holy Orders" (USCCB)

"What Are Holy Orders" (Bishop Don Hying)

"Sacraments 101 - What Does Ordination Mean?" (Busted Halo)

"Sacrament of Holy Orders"

"The Sacrament of Holy Orders"

"Why Won't Catholicism Allow Women Priests? (Bishop Robert Barron)

"The Sacrament of Holy Orders" - CCC 1533-1553 (Fr. Daniel Mahan)

"The Sacrament of Holy Orders - Continued" - CCC 1554-1600 (Fr. Daniel Mahan)
MUSIC

"The Mystery of Your Gift" (Josh Groban)

"With All I Am" (Hillsong)

"Wind Beneath My Wings" (Midler)

"Worthy is the Lamb" (Webster)
OTHER RESOURCES

"Holy Orders" (USCCB)

"Holy Orders - Ordained to Serve, Gather, Transform, and Send" (USCCB)

"Prayers for Vocations" (USCCB)

Links to Other Sacrament Resources Available on this blogsite
REFLECT ON YOUR EXPERIENCE

How do you encourage and support your Priests in the performance of their ministry?
We encourage and invite you to  spend time to reflect, pray, and write in your journal about what you have read, seen, heard, or experienced this week. You can find some questions you may wish to consider here.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, in now, and ever shall be.
Amen.