Holy Orders

"Through the ordained ministry, especially that of bishops and priests, the presence of Christ as head of the Church is made visible in the midst of the community of believers." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1549)

"The sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a 'sacred power' which is none other than that of Christ. The exercise of this authority must therefore be measured against the model of Christ, who by love made himself the least and the servant of all. ‘The Lord said clearly that concern for his flock was proof of love for him.’" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1551)

Here are some practical suggestions from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

• Attend Daily Mass.
• Celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.
• Attend Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Take time for daily prayer.
• Seek spiritual direction by speaking with a priest or qualified spiritual director.
• Attend a discernment program.
• Pray the rosary daily with devotion to the Blessed Mother.
• Get involved with some form of service within the Church.
• Talk to a vocational director (Fr. Thomas Melvin is the Vocational Director for the Diocese of Winona.)

The next Informational Retreat Weekends held by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary will be March 7-9, 2009. Contact IHM Seminary at 507-457-7373 for more information.

"Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1536)

Understanding the Role of the Priesthood
An excerpt from "God and the World" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)
U.S. Priesthood Statistics

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