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JUBILEE TEACHING

Holy orders: an apostolic tradition

JUBILEE TEACHING FOR MAY 4, 2008 | SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

Holy orders is a sacrament conferred on men and by which they carry on the apostolic tradition as ministers of the Gospel and the sacraments. The term “order” comes from the Latin ordinatio, which means incorporation into an ordo, an established civil or governing body. The church is made up of three orders: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests) and diaconate (deacons). To join one of these orders, the initiates participate in a sacramental liturgy of induction, which varies depending upon the order.

ORDINATION PRACTICES

The sacrament of holy orders is performed by the bishop, who lays hands on the candidate and recites a specific consecratory prayer. In the Catholic Church there are accompanying rituals, such as the presentation, instruction and examination of the candidate.

If initiates are to be ordained as bishops or priests, they are anointed with holy chrism, a sign of the special anointing of the Holy Spirit. New bishops also receive the Book of the Gospels along with the ring, miter and crosier as symbols of apostolic mission. The priests receive the paten and chalice, through which they make offerings for the church to God. The deacons receive the Book of the Gospels to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

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JUBILEE TEACHING

Holy orders: an apostolic tradition

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