Chapter Seven

Continuing the Work of the Apostles

Scene in Upper Room

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the Sacrament of
Apostolic Ministry
Its purpose is to continue the work of the Apostles to the
end of time
The Catholic Church is an apostolic Church
She was and remains built on the Apostles, the witnesses
chosen and sent on the mission by Christ himself

While the Church continues to pray for men to be

ordained, it will forever be fulfilled

Sharing in Christs Priesthood

The common priesthood of the faithful is
received at Baptism and deepened at
Confirmation
The hierarchical priesthood is received by
bishops and priests through the sacrament of
Holy Orders.
Priests originally had the role of making
sacrifices, but later in Israels history, priests
emerged as teachers and leaders

Sharing in Christs Priesthood

Jesus Christ is the High Priest and mediator as well as
the head of the Body of Christ, the church
Through the sacraments we become members of Christs
body and share in the priesthood of Christ
Common priesthood: priesthood of the faithful
We participate by sharing our faith with others in our words
and actions
We join in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist

Historical Development
The first pastors were the Apostles
The successors to the Apostles were the order
of bishops who were chosen by the Apostles
Apostles means one sent
The number 12 is significant because it represents the
twelve tribes of Israel and the universality of the Church

Historical Development

The ministry of the Apostles begins at Pentecost

with the coming of the Holy Spirit
They proclaimed the gospel, forgave sins,
healed the sick, and celebrated the Lords
supper in the name of Jesus
The Apostles appointed helpers to fulfill different
ministries who eventually developed into bishops

Structure of Ministry
During the second century a clear
hierarchical structure began arising in the
Church
The community chose Bishops after the
apparent presence of the Holy Spirit was
recognized in them

Influences of Priesthood
The edict of emperor Constantine in 313 led to
the legalization of Christianity in the Roman
Empire and also had a large effect on the
priesthood
This edict conferred civil authority, status, and
privilege on bishops and priests
Communities no longer elected bishops;
approval of the state was needed as well

Influences of Priesthood
During the Middle Ages, priests took a role
in the feudal system collecting taxes
Since more priests were needed to
celebrate mass, the order of the diaconate
declined as an active ministry and evolved
to a step on the way to priesthood

Today Holy Orders

The Pope has the primary authority over the
whole church
The Pope and all the bishops form a single entity
called the college of bishops
When the bishops come together with the Pope
they form an ecumenical council where they have
the task of truthfully teaching the Word of God

Today Holy Orders

Episcopacy- The Bishop

A part of an unbroken succession of

leadership traced to the Apostles

Presbyterate- The Priest

Second level of Holy Orders
Ordained to be the co-workers of the Bishop and to
help him with various tasks of his ministry

Consecrated to preach the Gospel, are proper ministers of

Baptism, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick and serve as
the Churchs witness at Matrimony

Today Holy Orders

Diaconate- The Deacon
Comes from Greek word, diakonoi, which
means servant or waiter
Assist bishops and priests at mass,
witness marriages, read scripture, preach
homily, preside in funerals and participate
in charity

Who Can Receive Holy Orders

When Jesus chose the twelve apostles, he only chose
men to have a role of leadership and act as a foundation
for His Church
The Apostles passed on the mission they were given by
Christ and they, too, chose only men to be their
successors
The Church believes that the gift of a vocation to the
priesthood for men can be compared to the vocation of
motherhood for women

Vocabulary
Jubilee Year

Clergy

Apostolic Succession

Feudal System

Lectionary

Crosier

Redemption

Catechumen

Altar of Holocausts

Seminaries

Common Priesthood

Primacy

Pastors

Ecumenical Council
Collegiality