Chapter Eight

Sacrament of Holy Orders

Hearing Gods Voice

When Abram was 75 years old he heard Gods

voice.
Moses heard God call out to him from a bush.
Young Samuel was spoken to in a dream
God continues today to call all Christians to his
service and some men to his priestly service

Hearing Gods Voice

With shrinking numbers of priests, the
Church is initiating many efforts to
encourage vocations to the priesthood
Vocation programs offer opportunities for
teenagers to explore priesthood or religious
life by participating in programs or shadowing
priests

Call to Priesthood
Signs for a man to gauge a possible vocation
to the priesthood:
Improving prayer life
Finds himself fighting thoughts of
becoming a priest but cannot ignore them
Attending mass and other
sacraments more often
Spending more time in church
Feels he may regret not pursuing
the initial steps of a vocation

Responding to the Call

A man who is discerning a call to the priesthood must be a
believer and recognize Gods voice in his life
Some ways in which a man can facilitate and maintain
dialogue with God involving the decision:
Going to daily mass
Setting aside regularly scheduled time for prayer
Volunteering in a parish
Research
Speaking with a spiritual director
Trying out another career
Participating in a discernment program
Practicing the virtues

Applying to Candidacy
Aspirancy
Once a man decides to make a formal inquiry to
be a candidate for the priesthood, he will undergo
a series of interviews to determine his sense of
calling and to see if he meets some requirements
This takes place over 4-5 months
The formal application process also includes a written
application and several letters of recommendation

Applying to Candidacy
Requirements
Mature male
Completed Christian initiation
Willingly and knowingly wishes to be
ordained

Preparing for Ordination

Human Formation
Basis of all priestly formation
Must be developed so he is affable, hospitable,
sincere, prudent, generous, encouraging,
understanding, and forgiving

Spiritual Formation
Candidate must form an intimate friendship with
Jesus Christ
Centers on the priest learning to live the Paschal
Mystery in his own life

Preparing for Ordination

Intellectual Formation
Study theology and philosophy in order to gain a
deep understanding of what it means to be human
Understand Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition
handed down by Magisterium

Pastoral Formation
Goal of entire formation
Priests formed in pastoral ministry so as to make them
shepherds of souls in imitation of Jesus Christ, the Good
Shepherd

Life in the Seminary

A seminary is a house of prayer, study, and formation

During the week, a seminarians day begins with

morning prayer from Liturgy of the Hours

Afternoons are less structured with a chance for

exercise or individual study

There are many meetings in which the seminarian must

attend, and attendance at daily mass is a requirement

Celebration of the Sacrament

Ordinations of the bishop, priests, and deacons all take
place within the Eucharistic liturgy

Initial rites of ordination begin after the Gospel where the

election of the man takes place and the bishop asks for the
consent of all the people

The bishop talks about the duties of the

including:
Teaching
Sanctifying
Shepherding

priest

Celebration of the Sacrament

After the homily, the candidate stands
before the bishop and is questioned on his
resolution to fulfill the duties of the
priesthood
All of the priests lay their hands on the
candidates head in silence while the bishop
recites the prayer of consecration

As with all the sacraments, Holy Orders

deepens the life of Jesus in the ordained man
who is called to serve Him and provides the
wisdom and fortitude to live as an ordained
minister throughout his life

Vocabulary
CYO
Liturgy of the Hours
Religious Superior
Lectio Divina
Charism
Alb
Litany of the Saints
Stole
Chasuble
Apostolic Letter