International Catholic University
I. Holy Orders: "the sacrament of apostolic ministry" (CCC 1536)
A. The term "ministry"
1. can and is used to describe what non-ordained people do-it is used for such liturgical functions as reading the scriptures and administering communion (lector and acolyte) and is used also to describe the role of Christian parents (see following lessons)
2. Ordination is a commissioning to share in the "apostolic ministry", the ministry entrusted to the apostles and their successors
B. Other Introductory Remarks
1. In the catechism, holy orders is grouped with matrimony under the heading of sacraments at the service of communion
2. Depends on ecclesiology
3. Great Ecumenical Problem with Protestantism
II. Biblical Background of Holy Orders
A. OT Pastoral Care: Moses & the 70 Elders; The Monarchy CCC 1541
1. God is supreme pastor & king, yet he uses human instruments to carry out his work of caring for and leading his people. Mediation.
2. Ps. 77:20 "You guided your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."
3. Institution of the 70 elders to assist Moses Nu 11:24-25
4. Monarchy: King as shepherd & mediator.
a. Vocation: Chosen and called by God, not simply a question of primogeniture, e.g., Solomon 1 Kg 2:15
b. Anointed with oil. Saul 1 Sam 9:16; David 2 Sam 2:4
c. Consecrated person who shares in the holiness of God & is inviolable. David, therefore, won't strike Saul 1 Sam 24:7
B. OT: 3-fold Levitical priesthood
1. Ex. 19:6 Israel is "kingdom of priests, a holy nation." Yet the Lord still raises up a distinctive priestly order with exclusive rights.
2. Sir. 45: 6-7 "He raised up also, like Moses in holiness, his brother Aaron, of the tribe of Levi. He made him perpetual in his office when he bestowed on him the priesthood of his people." Not a temporary function but a perpetual office.
3. Sir. 45: 8, 13 "He clothed him with splendid apparel, and adorned him with the glorious vestments. . . . Before him, no one was adorned with these, nor may they ever be worn by any except his sons and them alone, generation after generation, for all time."
4. Sir. 45:15 "Moses ordained him & anointed him with the holy oil." See Ex 28:41; 30:30; 40:12-15; Lev. 7:35f.
5. Tasks of priests according to Sir. 45
a. "Bless his [God's] people in his name." 45:15 (cf. Nu 6:23-27)
b. "to offer holocausts and choice offerings, to burn sacrifices of sweet odor for a memorial." 45:16
c. "to atone for the people of Israel." 45:16.
d. "to teach the precepts [of the law] to his people." 45:17. Cf. Dt 33:10; Mi 3:11
e. "to govern his people in justice." 45:26
6. See R. De Vaux, Ancient Israel, Vol. 2: Religious Institutions (NY: McGraw-Hill, 1965), 345-405.
7. Church came to see these as prefigurements of the ordained ministry of the New Covenant. CCC 1541.
C. NT: Jesus' Priesthood & that of all Christians
1. Hebrews 6:20- 8:6. Jesus' priesthood different than Levitical. He is the one perfect high priest who offers one sacrifice-himself.
2. Though all are priests (1 Pet 2:9) set apart to offer spiritual sacrifices (Ro 12:1-2) , there is also the special office of "servant of Christ and administrator of the mysteries of God." (1 Cor 4:1).
3. See reading from St. Peter Chrysologus W 57
D. NT: The Twelve, the Apostles, the seventy
1. Christ as the premier "apostle" or one sent, emissary of the Father. CCC 858; Jesus in turn sends out his closest disciples as his emissaries Jn 20:21 "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
2. Terminological problem: "the twelve," the "twelve apostles," "the apostles" as a wider group in Acts & Pauline writings.
3. Jesus also sent out 70 ministers of lesser stature; recalls the elders who assisted Moses
E. NT: Bishops & Presbyters
1. Acts 14:23 "And when they had appointed elders (presbyterois) for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed." Paul & Barnabas institute "presbyters" through the laying on of hands.
2. Phil 1:1 The "bishops" or "overseers" (episkopois) are greeted along with the "deacons." Dated ca. 55 AD.
F. NT: Deacons
1. Acts 6:1-6. The noun "deacon" is not used, but rather the verb "to serve" (diakonei'n). The seven, however, set the pattern for deacons. Set apart & appointed through the laying on of hands by the 12.
2. Phil 1:1 deacons (diakonois) are greeted along with the "bishops."