| Sacrament of Holy Orders |
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Holy Orders is the sacrament by which, through the authority of the Church, the imposition of a Bishop's hands confers on a man the grace and spiritual power to celebrate the Church's sacraments. "The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a vocation choice for leadership and service to the Catholic community as an ordained minister. The ordained ministry occurs in three degrees or orders: bishop, priest and deacon. These ministries are essential for the life of the Church. Bishops receive the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. They are the chief teachers, sanctifiers and shepherds in their dioceses. Priests are united with the bishops as co-workers in pastoral functions. With the bishop, they form a presbyteral (priestly) community and share with him the pastoral mission for a particular parish or ministry. Deacons receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, but not the ministerial priesthood. Through ordination, the deacon is called to service and may baptize, proclaim the Gospel, preach the homily, assist the priest or bishop in the celebration of the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages, and preside at funerals." The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, Chapter 20
St. Rose of Lima Parish prays for vocations to the ordained life and encourages those who feel called to contact Father Owen at 973-887-5572, ext. 114
Prayer for Openness to God's Call by Pope John Paul II
Lord Jesus, once you called the first disciples in order to make them fishers of men. Continue to let resound today Your sweet invitation: "Come and follow me." Grant to young men and young women the grace of responding promptly to Your voice. Sustain our bishops, priests and consecrated souls in their apostolic work. Give perseverance to our seminarians and to all those who are fulfilling an ideal of a life of total consecration to Your service. Enkindle in our communities a missionary zeal. Send Lord, workers into Your fields and do not let mankind be lost because of a lack of pastors, missionaries and people dedicated to the cause of the Gospel.
Mary, Mother of the Church, Model of Vocations, help us say "Yes to the Lord Who calls us to collaborate in the Divine Design of Salvation." Amen.