Effects and Fruits of Holy Orders
Effects of Holy Orders
There are two main effects of the sacarament of Holy Orders: the idelible (spiritual) character and the grace of the Holy Spirit. They will be discussed in greater detail below.
The Idelible (Spiritual) Character
The idelible character is best explained like this: "This sacrament configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ's instrument for his Church. By ordination one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king" (CCC 1581).
The indelilbe spiritual character refers to the fact that the sacrament cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily.
The Grace of the Holy Spirit
"The grace of the Holy Spirit proper to this sacrament is configuration to Christ as Priest, Teacher, and Pastor, of whom the ordained is made a minister" (CCC 1585).
This is first of all a grace of strength, for bishops:
The grace to guide and defend his Church with power and carefulness as a father and pastor, with unnecessary love for everyone and a special love for the sick, the poor, and the needy.
This grace impels him to proclaim the Gospel to everyone, be the model for his congregate, to go before it on the way of sanctification by recognizing himself in the Eucharist with Christ the priest and victim, not fearing to give his life for his followers (CCC 1586).
The spiritual gift given by presbyteral (priest) ordination is expressed by the prayer of the Byzantine Rite. While laying on his hand, the bishop says this prayer along with other things. (CCC 1587).
For deacons, "strenghtened by sacramental grace they are dedicated to the People of God, in conjunction with the bishop an his body of priests, i nthe service of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and of works of charity" (CCC 1588).
The Idelible (Spiritual) Character
The idelible character is best explained like this: "This sacrament configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ's instrument for his Church. By ordination one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king" (CCC 1581).
The indelilbe spiritual character refers to the fact that the sacrament cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily.
The Grace of the Holy Spirit
"The grace of the Holy Spirit proper to this sacrament is configuration to Christ as Priest, Teacher, and Pastor, of whom the ordained is made a minister" (CCC 1585).
This is first of all a grace of strength, for bishops:
The grace to guide and defend his Church with power and carefulness as a father and pastor, with unnecessary love for everyone and a special love for the sick, the poor, and the needy.
This grace impels him to proclaim the Gospel to everyone, be the model for his congregate, to go before it on the way of sanctification by recognizing himself in the Eucharist with Christ the priest and victim, not fearing to give his life for his followers (CCC 1586).
The spiritual gift given by presbyteral (priest) ordination is expressed by the prayer of the Byzantine Rite. While laying on his hand, the bishop says this prayer along with other things. (CCC 1587).
For deacons, "strenghtened by sacramental grace they are dedicated to the People of God, in conjunction with the bishop an his body of priests, i nthe service of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and of works of charity" (CCC 1588).
Fruits of Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament a man goes through in order to become a bishop, priest, or deacon.
Bishops
The bishop recieves the fullness of the responsibilities of Holy Orders. Through his ordination rite, he becomes a successor to the original Apostles and takes on all the responsibilities that Christ entrusted to them. He becomes a member of the college of bishops, so that with his brother bishops, he must lead the entire Church in union with the Pope. But a bishop is uniquely responsible for the diocese that he has been designated to lead as chief sheperd. Only the bishop can ordain priests. The bishop is the ordinary minister for Confirmation. He blesses the sacred oils that are used in the sacraments by all hte parishes in the diocese. The bishop is the chief catechist (teacher) of the diocese, and is responsible ofr ensuring that the Catholic faith is correctly taught. Through the diocesan offices, the bishop provides support and direction for parish and diocesan ministries.
Priests
When the bishop ordains priests, he is extending a portion of his apostolic authority to the priest. This makes the priest a coworker with the bishop of the diocese. All the priests of a diocese, united with the bishop, are called the presbyterium of the diocese. The presbyterium is responsible for the spiritual life of the diocese. The bishop assigns each priest to a particular parish or diocese ministry, and the priest is responsible for leading it in the name of the bishop. Priests can celebrate all the sacraments except Confirmation (unless given special permission) and Holy Orders.
Deacons
The ministry of deacons is different from that of priests. A deacon is ordained for works of service and liturgical ministry, as directed by the bishop. they may or may not be assigned to a parish. A deacon assists the bishop and priests with the celebration of the Eucharist, including the proclamation of the Gospel, giving homilies, and distributing Holy Communion. Deacons can also baptize, bless marriages, and preside over funerals. But they also dedicate themselves to works of charity and compassion in the community. The Church has both transitional deacons and permanent deacons. Permanent deacons may be single or married; however, if they are single when they are ordained, they promise to remain single, and if they are married when ordained, they promise not to remarry if their spouse should pass away.
Bishops
The bishop recieves the fullness of the responsibilities of Holy Orders. Through his ordination rite, he becomes a successor to the original Apostles and takes on all the responsibilities that Christ entrusted to them. He becomes a member of the college of bishops, so that with his brother bishops, he must lead the entire Church in union with the Pope. But a bishop is uniquely responsible for the diocese that he has been designated to lead as chief sheperd. Only the bishop can ordain priests. The bishop is the ordinary minister for Confirmation. He blesses the sacred oils that are used in the sacraments by all hte parishes in the diocese. The bishop is the chief catechist (teacher) of the diocese, and is responsible ofr ensuring that the Catholic faith is correctly taught. Through the diocesan offices, the bishop provides support and direction for parish and diocesan ministries.
Priests
When the bishop ordains priests, he is extending a portion of his apostolic authority to the priest. This makes the priest a coworker with the bishop of the diocese. All the priests of a diocese, united with the bishop, are called the presbyterium of the diocese. The presbyterium is responsible for the spiritual life of the diocese. The bishop assigns each priest to a particular parish or diocese ministry, and the priest is responsible for leading it in the name of the bishop. Priests can celebrate all the sacraments except Confirmation (unless given special permission) and Holy Orders.
Deacons
The ministry of deacons is different from that of priests. A deacon is ordained for works of service and liturgical ministry, as directed by the bishop. they may or may not be assigned to a parish. A deacon assists the bishop and priests with the celebration of the Eucharist, including the proclamation of the Gospel, giving homilies, and distributing Holy Communion. Deacons can also baptize, bless marriages, and preside over funerals. But they also dedicate themselves to works of charity and compassion in the community. The Church has both transitional deacons and permanent deacons. Permanent deacons may be single or married; however, if they are single when they are ordained, they promise to remain single, and if they are married when ordained, they promise not to remarry if their spouse should pass away.