Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 28th Sunday of Ordinary time.

My dear Parishioners,

Peace! The sacraments in general are treated by the Catechism of the Catholic Church in at least seven (7) passages. The following is a reflection on article 1121.

Each of the seven sacraments give grace but three (3), Baptism, Confirmation and Orders also impart a ‘character’ or ‘seal.’ While the soul is a spiritual (immaterial) reality, Mother Church here uses a visual term to help us understand the deep reality. The example of a seal set in wax has been used to show how we belong to God (e.g. 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Revelation 7:4–8). Baptism, Confirmation and Orders configure their recipients to Christ and His Church in a special way by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Five (5) different points should be highlighted regarding the characters or seals imparted by Baptism, Confirmation and Orders: they are indelible; they remain always with the recipient as positive dispositions for grace; they are a promise and guarantee of divine protection; they include a vocation to the divine cult (worship); and to the service of the Church. Indeliblity means that the character once received remains forever. As positive dispositions for grace these sacraments have an unending durability. Worship of Almighty God in the here and now by the Baptized, Confirmed and Ordained is a preparation for the worship to be offered eternally in Heaven.

Due to the quality of the character imparted by these sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation and Orders are never repeated. Saint Paul alludes to as much when, inspired by God, he wrote: “One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). The singular gift of the Spirit, is transmitted by the imposition of hands by Saint Paul is recognizable in Acts 19:6. While there are three (3) possible ordination rites a man may receive, one is never ordained a deacon more than once, or a priest more than once, or a bishop more than once. Common to each of the ordination rites and confirmation is the imposition of hands (cf. 2 Timothy 1:6). There is an invocation calling down the Holy Spirit upon the waters of Baptism to make them holy.

While Christ Jesus the Lord is the only true priest, by the graces and characters given in Baptism, Confirmation and Orders the recipients of those sacraments receive a participation and share in Christ’s one only priesthood (cf. 1 Peter 2:9).

There are diverse states and offices in the Church. All the laity, the quantitative majority of the Church’s membership, should be both Baptized and Confirmed. All the clergy must be both Baptized and Confirmed before ever being Ordained. Each of these sacraments involve both responsibilities and opportunities by which we glorify God and allow His grace to work in and through us. May these holy channels of grace be admired by us all. May we all be faithful to the graces and characters received so as to hear those blessed words “come share your Master’s joy” (Matthew 25:21b)!

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr