Fr. Mike, a dedicated priest known for his focus on the significance of ordination, dives into the sacrament of Holy Orders. He explains how ordination leaves an indelible spiritual mark, making a man a priest for life. The conversation emphasizes that Holy Orders is fundamentally a sacrament of service, shaping priests to better serve the Church. Fr. Mike also highlights the transformative power of this sacrament and the necessity of love and personal conversion in fulfilling a priest's vocation.
Holy Orders imparts an indelible mark on the ordained, ensuring their identity as a priest remains permanent regardless of their active role.
The sacrament empowers ordained individuals with a special grace, enabling them to perform their duties as shepherds of the Church with selflessness and love.
Deep dives
Indelible Character of Holy Orders
The sacrament of Holy Orders confers an indelible character to the ordained individual, marking them permanently as a representative of Christ within the Church. This means that once a person is ordained as a priest, bishop, or deacon, they retain their priestly identity forever, akin to the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. Even if a priest is discharged from their duties or forbidden to exercise them for serious reasons, they remain a priest at heart, embodying a lifelong commitment to their ecclesiastical vocation. This highlights the unique nature of Holy Orders, where the unworthiness of the minister does not hinder Christ's work through them.
Grace of the Holy Spirit in Ordination
The sacrament of Holy Orders bestows a special grace of the Holy Spirit, which empowers the ordained individual to fulfill their roles as priest, prophet, and king within the Church. This grace includes strength, wisdom, and the capacity to lead and serve the Church faithfully, particularly in caring for the needy and preaching the Gospel. Specifically, for bishops, this grace facilitates their mission to guide their communities with love, prudence, and dedication. The intricate prayers during ordination express the desire for the ordained to be worthy instruments of Christ, enabling them to effectively minister and fulfill their roles.
The Priesthood as an Expression of Love
The priesthood is framed as the embodiment of Jesus' love, signifying a deep responsibility that is characterized by selflessness and service. Icons of holiness, such as St. Jean-Marie Vianney, emphasize that the priest continues the work of redemption on earth and embodies the unconditional love of Christ. The calling to the priesthood is not merely a position but a loving commitment to serve others and lead them to God, reinforcing that holiness is achievable through one's response to God’s call. Ultimately, this perspective suggests that the essence of priesthood lies in love, showcasing the transformative power of living one's vocation with devotion and faithfulness.
Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the effects of the sacrament of Holy Orders. Fr. Mike emphasizes that once a man is ordained a priest, he is always a priest because he receives an indelible spiritual mark. He also emphasizes that Holy Orders is a sacrament of service. The effects of the sacrament configure him in such a way that he is best able to serve the Church. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1581-1589.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
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