This is a slide for the first movement

What does it mean to lead as one who serves? Christ calls some of the faithful to ministerial priesthood; that is, to lead the Church in the ministry of service. Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or ordination, a bishop ordains a baptized man to this ministry of service and leadership in the Church as bishop, priest or deacon. Ordained bishops, priests and deacons receive the office and responsibilities and graces of teaching, divine worship and pastoral governance of the faithful members of the Church. Jesus is the model for the exercise of their leadership.

What does it mean to lead as one who serves? The Holy Spirit gives all the baptized gifts to use to contribute to the mission of the Church. The laity and members of the consecrated life and the ordained ministers of the Church have diverse but mutually necessary roles in that work. The Church’s ordained ministers, her servant-leaders, help the whole Body of Christ to ‘work well together’. How can you as young people contribute to the mission of the Church?

The vocation to the ministerial priesthood The vocation to priesthood in the Church is prefigured in the priesthood of the people of ancient Israel. After the Israelites had settled in the Promised Land, God appointed the Levities to serve as mediators between God and his people. The Levites fulfilled this vocation and ministry by preaching God’s Word and offering sacrifices and gifts. Jesus Christ is the one Mediator between God and God’s people. Ultimately, it is Christ, acting through the ordained priest, who carries on the work of Salvation.

The vocation to the ministerial priesthood At the Last Supper, Jesus Christ consecrated his disciples to share in his priesthood. He commissioned the Apostles, ‘Do this in remembrance of me’ (Luke 22:19). The Apostles and their successors have passed this ministry on to those who have succeeded them. In Holy Orders the Holy Spirit confers a sacramental grace on the newly ordained priest which enables him to act in the name and very Person of Jesus Christ.

The vocation to the ministerial priesthood Baptized men who feel that God is calling them to the ministerial priesthood should discern whether their call is authentic by: praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance; taking part in the Eucharist regularly; consulting others in their faith community; seeking the guidance of a spiritual director. How can you listen more intently to what God might be calling you to do with your life?

The vocation to the ministerial priesthood Those who have discerned that Christ is calling them to the ordained priesthood must meet certain conditions: Only a baptized man can validly receive ordination. The candidate must first and foremost feel called to the priesthood by God. The candidate must be of outstanding moral character and live as a faithful Christian. He must give evidence of a commitment to personal prayer, devotion and spiritual growth. He must have an adequate education, along with good physical, mental and emotional health.

Co-workers in the vineyard In the Catholic Church, men are ordained to the Order of Bishops (episcopacy), to the Order of Priests (presbyterate) and to the Order of Deacons (diaconate). The office and ministry of bishop: Each bishop is responsible for the diocese entrusted to him. Bishops preside at the celebration of Liturgy, preach the Gospel and guide the faithful in living the new life in Christ. Bishops serve the Church in unity as the ‘college of bishops’. Bishops in communion with the Pope are guardians and teachers of the apostolic faith of the Church.

Co-workers in the vineyard The office and ministry of priest: Priests promise obedience to their bishop at their ordination. They are co-workers with their bishops in fulfilling the threefold ministry of sanctifying, teaching and governing the Church in parishes or in other ministries, such as teachers, chaplains, missioners and caring for the poor. Among all the works of a priest, the priestly ministry is exercised most profoundly in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Co-workers in the vineyard The office and ministry of deacon Deacons are ordained to the ministry of service and not to the ministerial priesthood. Deacons dedicate themselves to works of justice, compassion and caring for those in need. They assist their bishops and priests in the celebration of the Liturgy by proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homily and distributing Holy Communion. They assist at and bless marriages and preside at funerals. Deacons may be married or unmarried at the time of ordination.

The rites of ordination The ordination of a bishop: The principal consecrating bishop lays his hands on the bishop-elect in silence; places the open Book of Gospels over his head; prays aloud the Prayer of Consecration; anoints the head of the new bishop with Chrism; gives him the Book of the Gospels; places the ring on his finger and the miter on his head; and gives him the pastoral staff, or crosier. The new bishop is then seated in the bishop’s chair, his symbol of authority.

The rites of ordination The ordination of a priest: The candidate kneels before the bishop, places his hands between the bishop’s hands and promises obedience to his bishop. The bishop prays the prayer of Consecration. An assisting priest places the stole on the newly ordained priest and dresses him in the chasuble. The bishop anoints the hands of the new priest with Chrism. The bishop gives the chalice and paten to the newly ordained priest. The bishop then gives the kiss of peace to the new priest.

The rites of ordination The ministry of deacons: Deacons are not ordained to the ministerial priesthood. They are ordained to the ministry of service by a bishop by the imposition of hands and praying aloud the Prayer of Consecration. A deacon or another assisting minister puts a deacon’s stole and a dalmatic, a long-sleeved tunic, on the newly ordained deacon. The bishop then presents the deacon with the Book of the Gospels and greets him with the kiss of peace.

Father Augustine Tolton (1854–97), Servant of God, first African-American priest ordained to serve the Church in the United States of America John Augustine Tolton was born into slavery in Missouri but he escaped with his mother and two siblings in an old leaky row boat on the Mississippi River. Fr. Peter McGirr was instrumental in John’s education and spiritual formation. John was baptized, received Holy Communion and served as an altar boy. At the age of 32 he was ordained a priest in Rome. He served as an exemplary priest in Quincy and Chicago and was a pioneer in the work of racial civil rights.

Key Terms for the test Vocation-- Priesthood of the faithful-- Sacrament of Holy Orders-- Apostle-- Sacramental graces of ordination-- Spiritual discernment-- Celibacy-- Crosier--The pastoral staff and a symbol of leadership Book of the Gospels--presented to the ordained deacon Chalice and paten--presented to ordained priest by Bishop