Lesson 1: Vocation

Input 2: God Calls Everyone

"The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is
Input 1: Man’s Vocation & its Elements
not to become a saint." Léon Bloy (1846-1917)
Chapter 1: Man’s Vocation
1706 By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God which urges him "to do
The Second Vatican Council spoke of the “universal call to holiness” (Lumen
what is good and avoid what is evil."9 Everyone is obliged to follow this law,
Gentium, V). Being called to holiness means being called to love God and
which makes itself heard in conscience and is fulfilled in the love of God and
others. The universal call to holiness means God doesn’t call some people to
of neighbor. Living a moral life bears witness to the dignity of
be saints, but all people. You may be thinking, “I’m not perfect, how could I
the person.
ever be a saint?” But saints come from diverse backgrounds, and some were
-This shows that God is constantly calling us in certain path. Before all other
far away from God at one point in their lives. Because they were open to
callings we were called to live a moral life, a life in the spirit of God. For us to
God’s call, His grace was able to enter their lives and transform them. “God’s
perform a moral duty as we respond to what has God called us.
grace is not for an elite class, it’s for all people including you and me.”
Every member of the Church is called to holiness (Lumen Gentium, Ch V).
How does God call?
This means we are called to love: to love God and to love each other. The
Recognizing the Voice of Jesus “The voice of Jesus is unique! If we learn to
particular way that you live out that call to holiness is your vocation.
distinguish it, He guides us on the path of life”, Pope Francis tells us. The
question is: how do we learn to recognize the voice of Jesus calling to us?
Vocation is a life-calling that everyone receives from God. It has many
Here are some ways God speaks to our minds and hearts in daily life:
elements such as, work, personal growth and development, career and
possibly marriage. It’s a function or station in life to which one is called by
• Scripture
God to achieve a sense of fulfilment in life. An example of a vocation would
The word of God is “living and active” (Heb 4:12). Although Jesus
be a nurse. By being a nurse, that person would have to have the gifts and
spoke in a particular place and time, His words are also meant for you and I
talents of, honesty, patience, and would love to assist people in need. By
to listen to and receive right now and have just the same power to transform
having a vocation, God has given us a purpose in live.
us. There are many ways of praying with scripture including Lectio Divina,
imaginative prayer and the prayer of the Church (Divine Office).
1. Vocation is by invitation
The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare which means to call. God
• The Sacraments
calls or invites you to a particular vocation: single life, marriage, priesthood
We encounter Jesus personally in the Sacraments. In the
or consecrated life. Although each of us must make a decision about our
Sacraments, God gives himself to us, invites us to a new way of living, and
vocation, that choice is a response to an invitation from God.
gives us His grace to help us respond to that invitation.
2. God calls you personally
God is interested in you personally and he calls you personally. Many times,
• Desires
in scripture we see God calling individual men and women such as Noah (Gen
God speaks to us by placing desires deeply in our hearts that are
6:8- 22), Abraham (Gen 12:1-30), Sarah (Gen 17:15-16), Moses (Ex 3:1- 4:14),
oriented towards love and life. The contrast to the shallow desires often
Samuel (1 Sam 3:1-18), Mary (Lk 1:26-38), the Samaritan woman (Jn 4:1-42)
promoted by our contemporary culture (for example, materialism etc.).
and Peter (Mt 4:18-20).
Pope Francis: “In calling us God says to us: “You are important to me, I love
• Emotions
you, I count on you.” Jesus says this to each one of us! Joy is born from here,
God speaks to us through our emotions. Some have a natural
the joy of the moment in which Jesus looked at me. To understand and to
cause; others are spiritual. Examples of natural emotions include our
feel this is the secret of our joy. To feel loved by God, to feel that for Him we
response when we listen to a beautiful piece of music or witness a glorious
are not numbers, but persons; and to feel that it is He who calls us” (Vatican
sunset. It’s important to learn how to ‘read’ your emotions.
City, 9 July 2013).
3. Your vocation is an expression of who you are
• Conscience
“Be who you are meant to be, and you will set the whole world on fire”: this
The Church teaches that our conscience is our “most secret core
is a common paraphrase of the words of St Catherine of Siena. It’s tempting
and… sanctuary” (Gaudium et Spes). It is in this place where we are alone
to think of your vocation as something you do. But St Catherine of Siena
with God and hear his voice. This voice guides us to do what is good, true and
speaks of vocation in terms of being, not doing. Vocation is not simply
beautiful.
something that you do but it is an authentic expression of who you are, of
your very identity.
• Events
4. God knows us best
God speaks to us in our life events. This is called providence.
“Which of us knows what will make us happy?” asks Fr Jacques Philippe in
Through reflecting back on our life experiences, it’s easy to notice the hand
The Way of Trust and Love. We have all had that experience of getting
of God leading us to a certain place, relationship, job or other opportunity. To
exactly what we thought we wanted, only to find ourselves still unsatisfied.
read more about God’s providence,
But God knows us better than we know ourselves; He understands what will
bring us real fulfillment, not just fleeting happiness. St Irenaeus had this great
• Relationships
insight into vocation when he said (to paraphrase): God did not call me for
God speaks to us through other people. Friends can draw us closer
any service I might render him; God called me because he knew that in his
to God and encourage us on our faith journey. Our parish community reveals
service, I would be happy Fr Philippe has explained that “the most beautiful
the love of God through the warmth and acceptance we experience through
thing in this world is to be led by the hand of God. Not going at it alone when
fellowship. The witness of others can inspire us to follow their example. A
we pursue our interests and goals, but rather taking it on together with
person in need can call us to show compassion. Even a random stranger can
Someone who knows and loves us. Not building my life alone, but in a loving
say: “You would make a good priest!” (Believe it or not, this actually does
and trusting communion with God, the One who knows us better than we
happen).
know ourselves, who created us with infinite tenderness and who knows
which path will lead us to happiness and fruitfulness” (Community of the
• Silence
Beatitudes, Discerning Your Vocation. A Catholic Guide for Young Adults.)
Discovering silence is vital especially in today’s world where we
5. A vocation is different from a career
are constantly saturated with words, images and various forms of
When we speak of Christian vocations, we don’t mean a job or a career. Your
technology. In silence, we are confronted with our true self and allow the
vocation is the way God invites you to love and give yourself to others. It is
still, small voice of the Holy Spirit to speak to us.
not simply the giving of your skills, services and expertise, but the giving of
your whole self as a path to holiness.
6. Every vocation is a call to love
Lesson 2: Discerning and Deciding
On the surface the vocations of priesthood, religious life, married life, and
single life seem quite different, don’t they? Although there is a beautiful
Input 1: 10 Steps for Discerning and Deciding
diversity among these vocations, at their heart each shares a common
What is discernment?
commitment to love. As St John Paul II explained it, “Love is the fundamental
If we break down the word discernment into the two Latin words it comes
and innate vocation of every human being” (Familiaris Consortio, 11).
from, we get ‘dis’ (apart) and ‘cenere’ (to separate). To discern means ‘to
7. God respects your freedom
separate apart’. Any time we have to choose between two or more options,
God created us with the “dignity of a person who can initiate and control his
we discern. If both options are attractive, the best choice might not be
own actions”; we have the freedom to choose and be responsible. (CCC
obvious.
1730). God does not want to force you to choose a certain path, but to listen
Vocational Discernment is Self-discovery Discerning your vocation is not
to His invitation and respond freely, and so “God does not shout but
about choosing something you will do for your life but about discovering who
whispers” (Fulton Sheen).
you are made to be, discovering your deepest identity.it is more than an
intellectual weighing up of options, or applying technique to find answer.
God calls us to?
 Married life
10 Steps for Discerning and Deciding
 Priesthood
 Consecrated life
1. Don’t Explore alone
 Single blessedness
2. Listen
 3. Find a Spiritual Director we need to be free from a selfish expression of this gift. This
4. Cultivate the Right Dispositions (Attitudes) freedom can only come from God’s grace, given to us through
5. Go on a Retreat Christ. God gives us graces to help us form good natural habits in
6. Seek opportunities for Catechesis order for us to be happy.
7. Make contact with your Diocesan Vocation Director 11. Anxiety. Perhaps we feel the pressure to figure out our vocation
8. Approach a religious community and make an enquiry before ‘time runs out’. Or we are plagued by many worries about
9. Cultivate your freedom the consequences of our choices. It’s important to understand
10. Dare to dream and live big! that a vocation comes to fruition in God’s time and neither
ourselves nor others can rush the process.
Input 2: Stumbling blocks to discernment 12. Spiritual Dryness. There may be a season in our lives when we are
Reflecting on our journey with a spiritual director and giving sufficient time to not experiencing the consolations of God. Even when we pray and
self-reflection in prayer are two important ways that the Holy Spirit can help go to Mass we experience ‘numbness’ or feeling like God is
us to identify and then remove these ‘stumbling blocks’. In each of these distant. St Ignatius calls this experience spiritual desolation.
cases, bringing the problem to prayer and talking it over with a spiritual Experiencing spiritual desolation doesn’t mean we should
director is an excellent way to begin to move these stumbling blocks. abandon our efforts to discern. Spiritual desolation is a part of
everyone’s spiritual life.
15 Most Common Stumbling Blocks to Discernment. There can be various causes for this:
(1) it could have its cause in ourselves. for example; if our hearts
1. Fears. This is one of the biggest factors that can prevent us from are divided, if we are still attached to sinful habits or if we are lazy
making a choice. We can become paralyzed by our fears. Fear of in our relationship with God;
suffering, fear of not being in control, fear of failure, fear of (2) it could have an external cause. for example; a tragic event
leaving one’s security or comfort zone, fear of what others may that has taken place such as a death in the family
think, fear of being misguided by others, fear of making a mistake, (3) it could be the action of God in our soul, allowing us to
fear of Trainingjournal.com disappointing other people, fear of experience aridity in our prayer time as a way of purifying us.
losing oneself or one’s identity, fear of change, fear of being Because it is never easy to understand the origin of spiritual
lonely, and so on. God never calls through fear, so we should not dryness, it is helpful to discuss such experiences with a spiritual
make a choice out of fear. The first step to overcoming fears is to director.
acknowledge them so that they won’t have power over us. God 13. Too much 'noise' These days, our senses are constantly bombarded.
wants us to bring our fears to Him in prayer and in this place of If we’re always plugged into our smartphones, too busy with our various
vulnerability He will offer us comfort and encouragement. commitments and don’t give ourselves the time to be silent, it’s virtually
2. Lack of freedom. It can be hard to really listen to God if we are impossible to hear the voice of God. To discern your vocation, it is essential
not free to do so. Things that inhibit our freedom could include: to make time for silent prayer. Lakeocneehealt.com 14. Inability to make a
• being a slave to sinful behavior. choice Our culture places a high value on ‘keeping your options open,’ only
• being too attached to our own projects or plans, too dependent committing to something at the last minute. But this desire not to eliminate
on other people or too easily influenced by others. any option can sometimes mean that we don’t actually make a decision at all,
• being chained to unhealthy motivations, for example, acting to and so we become stuck. It is important to realize we can only be something
please others, or out of a sense of duty or obligation. We need to by making a choice. No one gets to be everything! If you try to keep all your
ask God to reveal our lack of freedom, grant us his mercy through options open, you will realize none of them.
the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and give us the grace to grow in 15. Being too rash or flippant with the decision making. On the
freedom. opposite spectrum is to not ever make a choice. Some people can be so
3. Lack of knowledge. Perhaps our perception of a particular enthused after an experience like a retreat or World Youth Day that they
vocation is clouded because we don’t know enough about it. Can make a decision to follow a certain path without waiting for the ‘afterglow’ to
you imagine how hard it would be to discern marriage if you had settle. In fact, they may have not really discerned properly, but made a
never met a married couple? You can take practical steps to decision in the impulse of the moment. lifelessons.com Having said that, it is
overcome this by getting in touch with communities, asking your possible for the Holy Spirit to give light and conviction in an experience like a
vocation director to put you in touch with experiences and retreat, but it is wise to take time to test this in order to see if it is an
materials which can help you learn more. authentic calling from God.
4. A false idea of who God is. Sometimes people develop an image
of God which is not true. God does not play tricks with us. He does
not pressure us but calls out of love. Sometimes we can resist a Lesson 3: Prayer and Commitment
genuine calling because we think that following God will take
away our freedom, make us unhappy, or will expect us to work Input 1: Top 10 Tips on Prayer for Discerning your Vocation.
harder for Him than He does for us. This is not true!
5. Unrealistic expectations. Sometimes people expect that God will 1. Prayer is a conversation with God
speak to them through extraordinary supernatural means like a 2. Prayers reveals Truth
mystical vision. Although not impossible, this is very rare. More 3. Prayer is not separate from life
often, God speaks to us in a more subtle way in our ordinary daily 4. Ask the Big Questions
lives. 5. Learn to recognize the voice of Jesus
6. Past Hurts. We can experience wounds in our lives from the way 6. Be open to surprises
people have treated us or other experiences. If we try and bury 7. Be honest
the past and not open the wound up to healing, it can become an 8. Be patient
obstacle to discernment. For example, perhaps through being 9. Faithfulness is the key
bullied at school we may have poor self-esteem and fail to see 10. Adore him
ourselves the way that God sees us. If we’ve been hurt by a parent
or other authority figure, this can affect our ability to trust God or Input 2: Commitment
receive His love. Discuss these matters with a spiritual director It usually evokes a strong sense of intention and focus. It typically is
and ask whether counselling by a good psychologist might help accompanied by a statement of purpose or a plan of action. Very often, we
you process these matters in a way which allows you to move utilize this word in regard to proclamations we may make about the
forward with your life. The Vocation Centre can refer you to one seriousness of our relationships. For example, “I’m in a committed
of these. relationship,” or “I’m completely committed to this relationship.” In such
7. An inordinate focus on the self. We can become so consumed by circumstances, what exactly are we saying? We take it for granted that the
our own ego or thoughts that our attempts to discern become word or the expression means the same thing to all of us. I can assure you
something narcissistic rather than open to God. that it doesn’t.
8. A sense of unworthiness. Sometimes people may feel ‘not good
enough’. Whilst it is good to be truthful about our own faults and What signs that prove that you are a committed person?
failings, it is important to realize that God came to call sinners (Mt Here are six signs that can prove that you are a committed individual:
9:13). He calls ordinary people, weak and sinful as we are, to do You adapt easily.
extraordinary things for Him, and He helps them to do it. A You are adaptable to any situation, because the goal is more important to
common truism about this challenge is: “God does not call the you than anything that stands in the way of it. Because you are focused and
equipped, He equips the called.” dedicated you are not a person who will easily give up no matter what
9. Focusing too much on the sacrifices. There are sacrifices involved situation you are in.
in any vocation, but we shouldn’t forget all the good things too! You are very tolerant.
For example, if you’re called to be a priest you may worry about Commitment requires tolerance. Rome was not built in a day, and neither
sacrificing your family relationships but forget about how amazing will you reach your goal in a single day. You understand that patience and
it would be to absolve someone of their sins or unite a man and tolerance are two qualities that are required in order for you to ultimately
woman in the Sacrament of Marriage. reach your goal.
10. Lack of freedom with respect to sexual desires. God has wired us You are dependable.
for intimacy, including sexual intimacy. But this capacity for sexual
desire should be orientated to the good of the other. Therefore,
You are very dependable as a friend or a support system. People in your life Spiritual Formation exists to be an integrative force within the
know that they can rely on you and that you have and will never let them entire formation experience. In the context of daily Mass and
down. communal prayer, through availability of the sacraments and
You are focused. individual spiritual direction, and during scheduled days of
When you put your mind to it, you can make a success of anything. You see reflection and retreats, seminarians are assisted in developing a
the end result in your mind's eye, and you work towards it every day of your sound spiritual life including awareness of the human need for
life without giving up. redemption, prayerful communion with God (ways of prayer, rule
You are passionate. of life, spiritual reading), growing conversion, love of others, love
If you are passionate about what you want to do, the battle is already half for the Church (integration of beliefs and actions so that personal
won. Your love for the project will ensure the correct amount of commitment beliefs are consonant with public behavior), vocational
and dedication, and it will most probably come naturally. discernment, mature celibate love for others, simplicity of life, the
You are straightforward. spirit of obedience, ecclesial prayer, concern for justice, and
You speak without filters, and you are straightforward and honest - you like pastoral care. It further serves to foster an enduring spirituality
to keep things transparent, leaving no place for misunderstandings. which will deepen after one leaves the Seminary.

Lesson 4: Common Symptoms of Awakening to your life Purpose  Academic Formation

“Money is no longer your #1 Motivator.” Academic formation promotes serious intellectual inquiry into,
and mastery of, essential aspects of the Catholic religious tradition
Input 1: Common Symptoms of Self-awakening and its history. The goal of this doctrinal instruction is that
“You were born for a reason, created exactly as you are for a reason, for a students acquire, along with a general culture in accord with the
special assignment that only you can fulfill.” (Nara Lee) needs of contemporary society, extensive and solid learning in the
sacred disciplines. After they have been grounded and nourished
Signs that you are ready to answer your Calling: in their own faith, they are prepared to proclaim the Gospel to
 A Deep Longing to do something specific that you have never those they have been assigned to serve. In philosophical studies,
done before students examine the heritage of philosophy which prepares them
 Your Fulfillment Changes to understand theology by perfecting their human development
 Your Life becomes too small for you and sharpening their minds. Theological studies, imparted in the
 From Ego Leadership to Heart Leadership light of faith and under the guidance of the Magisterium, lead
students into a solid understanding of Catholic doctrine based on
Input 2: divine revelation (cf. can. 248, 251, and 252).

I. 10 Smart Ways to Discover Your True Purpose in Work and Life  Pastoral Formation
• Focus on your personal values Pastoral formation provides for the personal engagement of
• Be optimistic seminarians in Church ministry under the guidance of supervisors.
• Help children in need It assists seminarians in their development of ministerial skills
• Recognize the power of your thoughts (e.g., pastoral counseling, preaching, organizing, and catechizing)
• Prioritize authenticity so as to prepare them to serve effectively in advancing the
• Dedicate your time to others mission of the Church. In the parish setting, present-day social,
• Pursue a problem you feel driven to solve political, environmental, moral, and ecclesial issues are
• Tune into your strengths confronted in their relation to the Christian faith. At the same
• Follow your heart time, the parish experience prompts reflection on the ecclesial
• Get to know yourself better context of pastoral ministry, including the specific responsibilities
of the priest, skills of collaborative leadership, and promotion of
II. Spiritually Committed Attitudes and Behavior the gifts and charismata of others in the Church community.
Attitudes
• My faith is involved in every aspect of my life. This formation takes place normally over a period of 10-11 years. You might
• Because of my faith, I have meaning and purpose in my life. think that this seems like a long time! But the formation of priests is a very
• My faith gives me an inner peace. important task and can’t be rushed. Seminarians experience life in
• I am a person who is spiritually community, working, studying, praying together and sharing meals and
leisure time as brothers in Christ. In their free time they might play sports,
Behavior work out, read, or visit friends and family. The friendships they share with
• I spend time in worship or prayer every day. each other are a great source of joy, support and encouragement as they
• Because of my faith, I have forgiven people who have hurt me deeply. journey towards the priesthood.
• My faith has called me to develop my given strengths.
• I will take unpopular stands to defend my faith. Input 2: Am I Called?
• I speak words of kindness to those in need of A vocation is an initiative of love from the heart of God. He calls in a gentle
and loving way and invites us to respond in freedom. Discerning a vocation to
the priesthood takes time, prayer, reflection, patience and attentiveness to
God’s action – undertaken with the assistance of others. It also takes courage
Lesson 5: A Calling Towards Holy Order to respond to the interior movements of the Holy Spirit. Could God be calling
you to be a priest? Explore below the signs of a calling to the priesthood,
Input I. Priestly Vocation some of the challenges of responding to a call, and the joys priests
Seminary Life experience in their vocation.
A seminary is the place where men discerning their vocation undertake
discernment and formation. Once a man enters the seminary, the decision to Signs of a Calling to Serve
be a priest is by no means final. The discernment process continues as he 1. I have love for God, a desire to know Him Intimately and serve Him with
begins preparation for the priesthood, especially in the first few years. the gifts I have given
Entering the seminary is the optimum environment for a man to grow deeper 2. I love my neighbors, care for their well-being and want them to know God
in his spirituality and earnestly ask God, ‘Is this really what you are calling me in the same way I do.
to be?’ Men who enter the seminary undergo a process of formation which 3. I feel unworthy of being called and genuinely humbled of being called.
has four dimensions: 4. I am willing to serve God and am open to his plans for my life.
5. I want to live out the word of God in my life; I want to be saint.
4 Dimensions of Priestly Formation 6. I want to attend mass regularly and receive nourishment from the
eucharist. 7.
 Human Formation 8. I know priest, I admire and look up to.
Human Formation seeks to promote in the candidate for diocesan 9. I have generous heart and willingness to make sacrifices to give glory to
priesthood a level of affective maturity with which a man can God. 10.I have compassion for those in need and desire for justice.
commit himself to Christ, to the Church, and to priestly life and 11.I have been given the gifts of intelligence and sound mind.
ministry with true self-knowledge and acceptance, inner freedom,
emotional balance, and a generous capacity for self-giving. Such 7 signs of calling to a priesthood life
development occurs through daily interactions within the 1. I wish to give myself completely to God. I want to exclusively identify
seminary community and, more specifically, in the life and myself with Christ and his Church.
activities of one’s class and corridor, through regular participation 2. I want to contemplate the word of God and share it with others through
in the days and evenings of human spiritual formation, and preaching and teaching.
through open and self-disclosing conversations with one’s 3. I feel certain sense of attraction to the priesthood. Sometimes I imagine
spiritual director and faculty adviser. myself being a priest preaching and helping those who are I need.
4. Thoughts of the priesthood have remained in me over a period of time.
 Spiritual Formation 5. I have the love for prayer and the sacraments, especially the eucharist.
6. I experience a sense of joy and peace deep in my hearth when I think Already in the Old Testament, through Moses God called all the Israelites to
about being a priest be “a kingdom of priests, a holy nation” (Ex 19:6), while consecrating one of
7. I simply want to love like Jesus the Twelve Tribes, Aaron and his descendants, the tribe of Levi, for priestly
ministry (cf. Lv 8:1-12; Ex 28-30; CCC 1539). Now, a priest is someone
The Challenges of responding to a call to the Priesthood appointed to act on behalf of the people “as their representative before God,
1. Facing home truths. Discerning your vocation is a process of self-discovery to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Heb 5:1). But this Old Testament
because it means asking, ‘Who am I?’ During this process you may discover priesthood was powerless to effect definitive salvation.
things about yourself that are difficult to face. It might be a wound from your
past or something you don’t like about yourself. The Lord allows us to The priest is a disciple, called to “follow Jesus” in total commitment,
experience this so that we can learn and grow, and ultimately experience His undeterred even by family ties, life itself (Lk 14:26), hardship (the Cross), or
grace and mercy! death __ “let the dead bury their dead” (cf. Mt 8:22), and with no “looking
2. Dealing with people’s reactions. Some friends and family might be very back to what was left behind” (cf. Lk 9:62). The priest is an apostle, “sent” to
supportive of a decision to pursue the priesthood. Others will not be. In a serve in the mission of Jesus and of the Church. Third, the priest is called a
recent study of men ordained in the USA in 2014, half of the respondents presbyter, an “elder”one responsible to the pastoral care of the Church
said they were discouraged from considering the priesthood by one or more members. As God’s steward he must be blameless, . . . not self-willed or
persons. Often friends and family are concerned about you pursuing a path arrogant, not a drunkard, or violent, nor greedy. . . . He should, on the
which is unfamiliar to them. During your discernment, your spiritual director contrary, be hospitable, and a lover of goodness; steady, just, holy, and self-
or vocation director can talk these issues through with you: it’s likely they controlled. In his teaching he must hold fast to the authentic message, so
have experienced the same thing! that he will be able both to encourage men to follow sound doctrine and to
3. Facing your fears. Some common fears include fear of making sacrifices, refute those who contradict it (Ti 1:7-9).
fear of losing your life or your identity, fear of surrendering your will to He represents an institution with authority, __ not to dominate but to serve.
God’s, fear of letting go of things you are attached to. Part of the vocational
journey is not to be imprisoned by your fears forever but to face your fears Royal Priesthood of the Faithful
with the help of God and others. It is through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation that all the faithful
4. Understanding celibacy. Some men who are called to the priesthood have are empowered to exercise their priesthood through sharing, according to
always assumed they would marry and have children. Maybe you find it hard each one’s proper vocation, in the mission of Christ as Prophet, Priest and
to imagine how you could ever live a celibate life or be happy living one. King (cf. CCC 1547). As prophets, we give living witness of Christ to the world
Maybe you’re wondering what giving up sex means for your manhood. A through explicit profession of Faith in word and deed, especially by our way
desire for marriage, children and sexual intimacy is normal and natural for a of life. As priests, we offer worship to God in the Eucharist, by receiving the
priest. Our culture tends to characterize celibacy as unnatural or impossible. sacraments, and by offering prayers and thanksgiving. As sharing in Christ’s
But many saints and holy people were celibate! Being celibate means kingship, we continue Christ’s ministry of reconciliation, leading others to
sacrificing these good things for a greater good. The best way to proceed in follow his call to become peacemakers by confronting injustice and evil with
your discernment is to learn more about the meaning of celibacy. compassion and forgiveness.
5. Experiencing ‘spiritual dryness’. It is not uncommon for men who are
living a committed Christian life to go through a period where they find it What Priests Do?
difficult to pray and don’t ‘feel’ God’s presence. This may be God’s way of In the Church and on behalf of the Church priests are a sacramental
drawing forth in you a deeper faith – that you would place your trust in Him representation of Jesus the Head and Shepherd, authoritatively proclaiming
even when you are not receiving His consolations. his Word, repeating his acts of forgiveness and his offer of salvation
6. Moments of discouragement. Many men will feel unworthy when they particularly in Baptism, Penance and the Eucharist; showing his loving
think of being a priest. They may feel disappointed at their struggle to be free concern to the point of total gift of self for the flock, which they gather into
from sin, or despair at the difficulties they face in their spiritual life. It is unity and lead to the Father through Christ in the Spirit. In a word, priests
important to recognize that discouragement does not come from God, who exist and act in order to proclaim the Gospel to the world and to build up the
seeks to love and affirm us. Church in the name and person of Christ the Head and Shepherd (PDV 15).

The priest actually serves the Church as mystery, communion and mission. In
HOLY ORDERS continuing Christ’s prayer, word, sacrifice and salvific action in the Church,
the priest is a servant of the Church as:
Like the Sacrament of Marriage, the present situation of the priesthood has • mystery, by actuating the Church’s sacramental signs of the presence of the
entered a “state of crisis.” First, there is the worldwide shortage of priests, Risen Lord.
and in many traditional Catholic countries, a drastic decline in priestly • communion, by building up the unity of the Church in the harmony of
vocations. This may well go unnoticed in our country since in general all our diverse vocations, charisms and services; and
major seminaries are full to capacity. Nevertheless, the number of Filipino • mission, by making the community a herald and witness to the Gospel (cf.
Catholics for every priest is constantly growing. Second, since Vatican II, great PDV 16).
stress has rightly been put on the “priesthood of all the faithful,” received in
Baptism. But priestly ordination is reduced by some to mere functional THE THREE DEGREES OF THE SACRAMENT OF ORDERS
appointment. Third, a great variety of lay ministers has emerged, who The ordained ministry of the Church “is exercised in different degrees by
perform tasks that were once performed only by the ordained. Since today those who even from ancient times have been called bishops, priests and
the priesthood is commonly presented in terms of ministry rather than deacons” (LG 28). Church Law says simply: “The orders are the episcopate,
power, service rather than authority, a certain “identity crisis” has arisen for the priesthood and the diaconate” (CJC, 1009, 1; cf. CCC 1554).
ordained priests (cf. PDV 1, 11).
A. Bishops
The following Exposition takes up first the origin and meaning of the priestly Each Bishop has, as Vicar of Christ, the pastoral responsibility for a
vocation in general, its expression in the term “Orders,” and its evolution in particular diocese entrusted to him. But at the same time, he has,
the Old and New Testaments. This culminates in Jesus Christ, the One collegially with all his brothers in the episcopate, care for all the
Mediator/Priest, who shares his priesthood in a twofold manner: in the Churches. As a legitimate successor of the apostles, he has
common priesthood of all the faithful, and in the ministerial priesthood of responsibility in solidarity for the apostolic mission of the Church
the ordained. The ordained priesthood is then developed in terms of (cf. LG 23; CD 4,36f; AG 5f, 38; CCC 1559-60).
complementary “models,” based on the common essentials of configuration B. Priests
to Christ, in the service of the Church for the salvation of the world (cf. PDV As described in Vatican II, priests have three main functions: “to
12). The Sacrament of Holy Orders is then examined in its three degrees: preach the Gospel, shepherd the faithful as well as celebrate
bishop, priest and deacon, with excerpts from their ordination rites. Finally, divine worship as true priests of the New Testament” (LG 28; cf.
the basic effects of Ordination are examined, together with a brief exposition CCC 1564). But it is especially in the sacrifice of the Mass that
of the spirituality proper to the priesthood. “they exercise in a supreme degree their sacred functions: there,
acting in the person of Christ, they unite the votive offerings of
The vocation of every Christian is a response to Christ’s call, “Come, follow the faithful to the sacrifice of Christ their head, and make present
me” (Mt 19:21). again and apply the unique sacrifice of the New Testament” (LG
28).
Holy Orders is “the sacrament of apostolic ministry.” Through it, “the mission C. Deacons
entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church to “Strengthened by sacramental grace, in communion with the
the end of time” (CCC 1536). bishop and his body of priests, deacons serve the People of God in
“Order” in Church usage simply means the group or body of those who carry the service of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and of works of charity”
on certain functions, such as teaching, sanctifying, and governing. Ordination (LC 29; cf. CCC 1569). Among the many duties they can be called
is the sacramental act by which one is integrated into the orders of bishops, upon to perform are the following: to administer baptism
of priests and of deacons. It goes beyond a simple designation, delegation or solemnly, to be custodians and distributors of the Eucharist, to
institution by the community since it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit, enabling assist and bless marriages in the name of the Church, to bring
the exercise of a sacred power which can only come from Christ himself, Viaticum to the dying, to read the Sacred Scripture to the faithful,
through his Church (CCC 1538). to instruct and exhort the people, to preside over the worship and
prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramentals, and to officiate
at funeral and burial services (LG 29).