Holy Orders/Prayer for Vocations

Ordination 2019: Front Row from L to R: Father Anthony Brausch, Father Mark Bredstege, Father Jeff Stegbauer, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, Father Andrew Hess, Father Alex Biryomumeisho; Back Row L to R, Father Ambrose Dobrozsi, Father Elias Mwesigye, Father Zach Cecil, Father Jedidiah Tritle, Father Christian Cone-Lombarte, and Bishop Joseph Binzer (CT Photo/E L Hubbard)

Holy Orders

All members of the Church participate in the priesthood of all believers through Baptism. However, some men are called to serve Jesus and the Church today through the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through their leadership in the Church, they help continue Jesus’ presence on earth in the tradition of the apostles. There are three levels of participation in the Sacrament of Holy Orders: as bishop, as priest (from presbyter, which is Greek for “elder”), and as deacon.

In the rite of Ordination for priests, the candidate receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders, with a bishop laying his hands on the head of the candidate and saying a prayer asking for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In one part of the rite, the candidate lies in front of the altar while the Litany of the Saints is sung or recited. In another part of the rite, a priest’s hands are anointed with chrism.

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God’s call using the words of the prophet, “Here I am, send me” (Is 6:8). This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.

Prayer for Vocations

Almighty Father, You have created for us some definite purpose. Grant us the grace to know the path You have planned for us in this life and to respond with a generous “Yes.” Make our archdiocese, parishes, homes and hearts fruitful ground for Your gift of vocations. May our young people respond to Your call with courage and zeal. Stir among our men a desire and the strength to be good and holy priests. Bless us with consecrated religious and those called to a chaste single life, permanent deacons, and faithful husbands and wives, who are a sign of Christ’s love for His Church. We commend our prayer for vocations to You, Father, through the intercession of Mary our Mother, in the Holy Spirit, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.