Sacrament of Holy Orders

by Ronald Zacarias

Sacrament of Holy
Orders
Holy Orders is a sacrament through which men
are marked with an indelible character and
constituted Sacred ministers-bishops, priests
and deacons- to teach, sanctify, and govern
the faithful in the person of Christ the Head.

Before Vatican II

Vatican Caouncil II
The minor orders are no longer called
ordination but rather they are properly
called ministries in the Church.
Before

the conferral of this ministry

is also called ordination.

Today

the conferral of this ministry is

called institution or installation

Vatican Caouncil II
Subdiaconate today no longer exists in
the Roman Catholic Church.
The function of subdeacon in the old
rite is now the function of the duly
instituted acolyte.

Ministry
Those who are preparing for the ordained
ministry of priesthood. They need to pass
through the ministries of lectors and
acolytes
as stated by Canon Law.
Canon 1035 (1) Before anyone my be promoted to the diaconate
whether permanent or transitory, he must received the ministries of
lector and acolyte, and have exercise them for an appropriate time.
(2) Between the conferring ministry of acolyte and the diaconate
there is to be an interval of at least six months.

Ministry of Lectors

Ministry of Lectors

Ministry of Acolytes

Ministry of Acolytes

Ministry of Acolytes

Major Orders (Deacon)

Major Orders (Deacon)

The ordination of deacons - "in order to

serve"

"At a lower level of the hierarchy are to be

found deacons, who receive the imposition
of hands 'not unto the priesthood, but
unto the ministry."'At an ordination to the
diaconate only the bishop lays hands on
the candidate, thus signifying the
deacon's special attachment to the bishop
in the tasks of his "diakonia."

Major Orders (Priest)

Major Orders (Priest)

The ordination of priests - co-workers
of the bishops
"The priests, prudent cooperators of the
episcopal college and its support and
instrument, called to the service of the
People of God, constitute, together with their
bishop, a unique sacerdotal
college(presbyterium)dedicated, it is, true
to a variety of distinct duties. In each local
assembly of the faithful they represent, in a
certain sense, the bishop, with whom they
are associated in all trust and generosity; in

Major Orders (Bishop)

Major Orders (Bishop)

Episcopal ordination- fullness of the
sacrament of Holy Orders
"Among those various offices which have been
exercised in the Church from the earliest
times the chief place, according to the witness
of tradition, is held by the function of those
who, through their appointment to the dignity
and responsibility of bishop, and in virtue
consequently of the unbroken succession
going back to the beginning, are regarded as
transmitters of the apostolic line."

Common and Ministerial

Priesthood
Common/Royal
Shared

by all the baptized Christians by the

virtue of the threefold ministry of Christ (priest,
prophet and king)

Ministerial
Those

who are in the hierarchy; the deacons,

priests and bishops.
They are ordained for the service of the
common/royal priesthood

When did Christ institute the

Sacrament of Holy Orders?
During the Last Supper:

What are the effects of

Ordination to the priesthood?
An increase of sanctifying grace;
b. Sacramental grace through which
the priest receives Gods constant
help in his sacred ministry.
c. A lasting indelible character, which
is a special sharing in the
priesthood of Christ and which gives
the priest special supernatural
powers.
a.

What are the chief supernatural

powers of the priest?
a.

To change bread
and wine into
the body and
blood of Christ.

b.

To forgive sins in
the sacrament of
Penance

Minister of Holy Orders

The
Bishop

Matter and Form

Matter
a. Imposition/Laying
on of hands
FORM
b. Prayer of
Ordination/Consecrat
ory prayer

Conditions required to
receive Holy Orders worthily
a.Candidates should be male
baptized catholic
b. Candidate must be in the state of
grace.
c. He must have the prescribed age
and learning
d. Must have the intention of
devoting his life to the sacred
ministry (free from coercion)
e. Must be called to the Holy Orders