From the Rector, Second Sunday of Advent, 12/6/2020

Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony

Lesson 12

1. What is Holy Orders? Holy Orders is the sacrament through which men receive the power and grace to perform the sacred duties of bishops, priests, and other ministers of the Church.

2. What are some of the requirements that a man may receive Holy Orders worthily? 1) That he be in the state of grace and be of excellent character; 2) that he have the prescribed age and learning; 3) that he have the intention of devoting his life to the sacred ministry; 4) that he be called to Holy Orders by his bishop.

3. What is meant essentially by a vocation to the priesthood? That invitation to receive Holy Orders given by the proper ecclesiastical superior to a man who, after a sufficient period of preparation and trial, gives signs that he has been called by God to the priesthood.

4. What are the chief signs that a man has been called by God to the priesthood? A sincere desire to become a priest, a virtuous life, and sufficient bodily health and intellectual ability to enable him to make the required studies and to perform the duties of the priestly life.

5. What are the effects of ordination to the priesthood? 1) An increase of sanctifying grace; 2) sacramental grace, through which the priest has God’s constant help in his sacred ministry; 3) a character, lasting forever, which is a special sharing in the priesthood of Christ and which gives the priest special supernatural powers.

6. What are the chief supernatural powers of the priest? To change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and to forgive sins in the sacrament of Penance.

7. Why should Catholics show reverence and honor to the priest? Catholics should show reverence and honor to the priest because he is the representative of Christ Himself and the dispenser of His mysteries.

8. Who is the minister of the sacrament of Holy Orders? The bishop

9. What is the sacrament of Matrimony? Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and a baptized woman bind themselves for life in a lawful marriage and receive the grace to discharge their duties.

10. What are the chief duties of husband and wife in the married state? The chief duties of husband and wife in the married state are to be faithful to each other, and to provide in every way for the welfare of the children God may give them.

11. Why does the bond of the sacrament of Matrimony last until the death of husband or wife? Because Christ has said: “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

12. What is meant by the unity of the sacrament of Matrimony? That the husband cannot during the life of his wife have another wife, nor the wife during the life of her husband have another husband.

13. Why is every true marriage between a baptized man and a baptized woman a sacrament? Because Christ Himself raised every marriage of this kind to the dignity of a sacrament.

14. What is necessary to receive the sacrament of Matrimony worthily? 1) To be in the state of grace, 2) to know the duties of married life, and 3) to obey the marriage laws of the Church.

15. In whose presence do the laws of the Church require a Catholic to be married? The laws of the Church require a Catholic to be married in the presence of the parish priest, or the bishop of the diocese, or a priest/deacon delegated by either of them, and before two witnesses.

16. What are the chief effects of the sacrament of Matrimony? 1) An increase of sanctifying grace; 2) the special help of God for husband and wife to love each other faithfully, to bear with each other’s faults, and to bring up their children properly.

17. What should Catholics do to prepare for a holy and happy marriage? 1) Pray that God may direct their choice; 2) seek the advice of their parents and confessors; 3) practice the virtues, especially chastity; 4) frequently receive the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist.

18. How can Catholics best obtain God’s blessing for their marriage? By being married at a Nuptial Mass and by receiving Holy Communion devoutly.

-Fr. Brown