“Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers” (St. Thomas Aquinas).
In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, through a special gift of the Holy Spirit, this sacrament enables an ordained man to exercise a sacred power in the name and with the authority of Christ for the service of the People of God. There are three different levels by which an ordained man exercises the priesthood of Christ: as a deacon, priest or bishop. One common ministry for all three is the preaching of God’s Word — which is a most necessary and needed ministry to help God’s people become holy and to know God’s Truth.
Lafayette Vocations
Any young man who is 18 years old or older who wishes more information about "how" and "what" in pursuing a vocation should contact our Pastor, Fr. Joe Campion.
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. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1536)
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13: 1-3 |