Life in the Sacraments - Holy Communion
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Holy Orders
The redemptive sacrifice of Christ is unique, accomplished once for all;
yet is made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Church. The same is true of the one priesthood of Christ; it is made present through
the ministerial priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood. "Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only His ministers."
(CCC 1545).
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O Jesus, Eternal Priest,
keep Thy servants within the shelter of
Thy Sacred Heart,
where none may harm them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips, purpled with
Thy Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of
Thy glorious Priesthood.
Let Thy Holy love surround them and shield them from the world's contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit,
and may the souls to whom they minister be here below their joy and consolation, and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown.
Amen
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Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us
St Joseph, pray for us
St John Vianney, pray for us
St Charles Borromeo, pray for us!
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Life in the Sacraments - Holy Orders
Is God calling you to the holy priesthood?
Please contact Father Carlson at 704.735.5575, or
Diocesan Director of Vocations
Father Christopher Gober at 704.370.3327.
You may write to Father Gober at
1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203, email vocationsmail@charlottediocese.org or visit the
St Joseph College Seminary website.
Holy Orders is the Sacrament of Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted by Christ to His Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church through the laying on of hands. This sacrament has three distinct degrees or "orders": deacon, priest and bishop. All three confer a permanent sacramental character.
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In the ecclesial service of the ordained minister, it is Christ Himself Who is present to his Church as Head of His Body, Shepherd of His flock, high priest of the redemptive sacrifice, Teacher of Truth. This is what the Church means by saying that the priest, by virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, acts in persona Christi Capitis. (CCC1548)
* Unless otherwise noted, all Sacramental descriptions are from the Catechism of the Catholic Church Glossary ©2000