From the Catechism
of the Catholic Church:
1536. "Holy Orders is the sacrament through
which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to
be exercised in the Church until the end of time; thus it is the sacrament
of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate,
presbyterate and diaconate."
1591. "The whole Church is
a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in
the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the 'common
priesthood of the faithful'. Based on this common priesthood
and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in
the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of
Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person
of Christ the Head in the midst of the community."
1592. "The
ministerial priesthood differs in essence from the common priesthood
of the faithful because it confers a sacred power for the service
of the faithful. The ordained ministers exercise their service
for the People of God by teaching, divine worship and pastoral governance."
This sacrament is given to those who are called to form part of Holy Orders. It is a personal call [Vocation] from the Almighty God. This is a different call from that of Religious Life. In both cases, the person called has to give an answer.
We as parishioners are asked to pray so that the Lord sends "Labourers to his Harvest Fields" and also that He sends shepherds, who are ready to follow His footsteps, and care for their sheep according to His own will.
If anyone is interested in knowing more about Holy Orders or the Religious Vocation he may contact the Friars.
ST. PATRICK'S RC CHURCH - Waterloo [London]
The London Parish Run by the General Delegation of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual
