Chapter SevenContinuing the Work of the Apostles

•The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the Sacrament of Apostolic Ministry

• It’s 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

Scene in Upper Room

Sharing in Christ’s 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 Israel’s history, priests emerged as teachers and leaders

Sharing in Christ’s 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 Christ’s 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

• 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 Lord’s supper in the name of Jesus

• The Apostles appointed helpers to fulfill different ministries who eventually developed into bishops

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Historical Development

• 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

Structure of Ministry

• 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

Influences of 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

Consecrated to preach the Gospel, are proper ministers of Baptism, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick and serve as the Church’s witness at Matrimony

• 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

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

Apostolic Succession

Lectionary

Redemption

Altar of Holocausts

Common Priesthood

Pastors

Clergy

Feudal System

Crosier

Catechumen

Seminaries

Primacy

Ecumenical Council

Collegiality