Holy Orders
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Sacrament of Holy OrdersThere are two sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, that are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. Through these sacraments those already consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation for the common priesthood of all the faithful can receive particular consecrations. (CCC 1534-1535) -
Holy Orders
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The Sacrament of 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 through the laying on of hands. This is a sacrament of apostolic ministry that includes three degrees: episcopate (bishop), presbyterate (priest), and diaconate (deacon).
All Christians participate in the one priesthood of Christ. The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are “consecrated to be…a holy priesthood.” Those who, after being baptized, receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, also become part of the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood. The ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood of all the baptized. It is intended to unfold the baptismal grace of all Christians. The ministerial priesthood is the means by which Christ continues to build up and lead his Church.
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Religious Vocations
God calls each of us through Baptism and Confirmation to serve Him in a specific way of life. In addition to Holy Orders, many are called to a religious vocation, such as religious brothers and sisters. Those who may be discerning this calling are encouraged to heed to the call. We share the words repeated by John Paul II from Christ in the Scriptures, “Do not be afraid!”
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Discernment
If you believe you may be called to the priesthood or a religious vocation, thank you for your discernment. There are several come-and-see events at the St. Paul Seminary. Find more help for discernment here: http://www.10000vocations.org/
Additionally, for more information about Holy Orders, vocations and vocational discernment, please reach out to contact Fr. Louie Floeder at 507-645-8816 ext 209 or [email protected].
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Ways to Promote Vocations
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Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”
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Archdiocesan Prayer for Vocations
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O God, we earnestly ask You to bless this archdiocese with many priests, Brothers, and Sisters who will love You with their whole strength and gladly spend their entire lives to serve your Church and to make You known and loved.
Bless our families, bless our children. Choose from our homes those needed for your work.
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us, pray for our priests, Religious, and deacons. Obtain for us many more.
+Most Rev. Harry J. Flynn, D.D.
Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis
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