Apostolic Ministry and Holy Orders Explained
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collinmandersonApostolic Ministry and Holy Orders Explained
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collinmandersonChapter 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