Major Orders

In Roman Catholic Church,

these are the subdiaconate,

diaconate and priesthood.

Subdiaconate

• A preparation for the sacrament of Holy Orders, and is of ecclesiastical institution.

• A subdeacon is pledged to perpetual celibacy and the daily recitation of the Divine office.

Tasks:

• Presents the water at High Mass• Sings the epistle• Brings the vessels to the altar• Holds the paten during the canon• Gives the kiss of peace to the

choir

Diaconate

• Lowest degree in the Sacrament of

Holy Orders

• The deacon receives sacramental grace.

Tasks:

• Assists the priests at Holy Mass• Reads or sings the Gospel• Preaches• Incenses the celebrant and the choir• Gives the altar bread• Pours wine into the chalice• Takes off the pall and puts it on

Priesthood

• Second degree in the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

episcopate- the highest degree in the Sacrament

-the fullness of the priesthood

-”bishops”

Priests may be classified into 2 grades:

1. Priests 2.bishops

Priests

Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos

By means of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the graces earned by the sacrifice of Christ are to be applied to the faithful at all times.

“As the Father has sent me, I also send you. And I appoint to you a kingdom, even as my Father has appointed to me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you shall sit upon thrones, judging the tweve tribes of Israel.”

- Luke 22:29-30 -

Powers and Duties of Priests

Effects of ordination to the priesthood:

An increase of sanctifying grace. Sacramental grace, through which the

priest has God’s help in his sacred ministry.

A character, sharing the priesthood of Christ and gives the priests supernatural powers.

Chief supernatural powers of the priests:

to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Penance

Two Classes of Priests:1. Secular or Diocesan Priests

- those who belong to a diocese- bound to obey the bishop-in charge of the parishes

2. Religious or Regular Priests- members of religious orders or

congregations- bound by 3 evangelical vows:

poverty, chastity and obedience

Chief duties of Priests: to live in celibacy (cannot be married) to recite the Divine Office daily ( a

series of prayers)

Catholics must show reverence to the priest because he is the representative of Christ.

There is a great need of priests everywhere, for Christianity is impossible without priests.

Thank You Reporter:

Juan Paolo P. CunananBSIT-II