From the Rector/Catechesis, Fifth Sunday of Easter, 5/7/2023
Vocational Sacraments (Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony)
Holy Order
•Background
o Ordination, consecration
o OT (Fathers, Moses and 70, Aaron and sons, Levites)
o Jesus the High Priest (Hebrews)
o Baptismal priesthood (Body of Christ) and ministerial (Christ the Head)
•Degrees (and succession)
o Bishops , Priests, Deacons
•Matter and Form
o Man free to be ordained (vocation [from God and Church] and formation!)
o Laying on of hands and consecratory prayer
•Grace and Effects
o Indelible Mark
o Sacred power: to act in Name of Christ/Church
Holy Matrimony
• Background
o All called to sacrificial love
o Natural definition: exclusive, freely chosen, lifelong, loving, complementary
union of a man and a woman for procreation and education of children
o Adam and Eve before (helpmate, one flesh, image of God) and after Fall (sin,
divorce)
o Covenants of OT (adultery and idolatry); 6th and 9th Commandments
o Jesus (Cana, preaching, Bridegroom) and Early Church (Revelation 21:9-27)
o Eph. 5: 21-33: man and wife sign of Christ and Church
• Matter and Form
o Man and woman free to marry
o Vows (consent!)
•Grace and Effects (particularly to strengthen the following)
o Properties
• Unity
• Indissoluble marriage bond until death, once ratum et consummatum
o Purposes
• Union
• Procreation
o Holiness of spouses because of Christ in spouse
o Domestic Church
This week’s FORMED.org recommendation: Matrimony & Holy Orders: Called Session 1-4 (vocations) & Called Session 5: Called to Matrimony (parents ensure your children can watch video on Matrimony.)
