My dear Parishioners,
Peace! During these last weeks of the “Year for Priests” I thought it would be timely to go over the various In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding Holy Orders. There are eleven (11) of these passages which will help us to appreciate this sign of grace entrusted to the Church by Christ Himself, the Great High Priest. The following is a reflection on article 1593.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders, like the other six Sacraments all date back to the origin of the Church which Christ founded. We remember fondly the Lord’s words to Saint Peter: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18) and to Saul during his conversion “Why are you persecuting Me?” as he was still yet persecuting the Church (Acts 9:1-22). Christ Jesus our Lord instituted not only His one only Church but likewise her Sacraments by which He gives us His grace.
The one Sacrament of Holy Orders is exercised in three (3) grades or degrees. There are three different ordination rites, each with prayers specific to the grade or degree received, each with specific vesture as further outward signs of the inward grace received. The three grades or degrees of the one Sacrament of Holy Orders are: Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.
Bishops receive the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. They are the visible source of unity of the particular Church (Diocese) entrusted to their care. They are the chief teachers and leaders in the Church with and under the guidance of the Bishop of Rome who is the Successor of Saint Peter. During their ordination the Gospels are placed over their heads like a tent, covered by the Word of God. Their heads are likewise anointed with Sacred Chrism. Their insignia include the Pectoral Cross, the Miter, the Crosier, and the Ring.
Priests receive their faculties from their Bishops to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass, absolve the repentant, and anoint the sick and dying. The current rite of priestly ordination calls for the anointing of the palms of the hands with Sacred Chrism. The vesture of Priests includes the Stole worn over the Alb and under the Chasuble.
Deacons likewise receive their faculties from their Bishops and exercise ordinarily the ministry of the Word, especially the Gospel, and assist at the Altar especially the Chalice. The outward signs used by Deacons are the Stole worn diagonally under the Dalmatic. Deacons are not anointed during their Ordination but like Bishops and Priests they receive an imposition of hand prior to the prayer of consecration.
St. Ignatius of Antioch is cited by the Catechism to the effect that “without the Bishop, the Presbyters and the Deacons, one can not speak of the Church” (Epistula ad Trallianos 3,1). For this faith he was martyred, ground like eucharistic wheat by the teeth of lions in AD 107. Let us pray that our Priests will be holy like Christ the great high Priest and bishop of our souls, following Him like Saints Peter, Paul and Ignatius (cf. Hebrews 3:1; 1 Peter 2:25)
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr