Sacraments of
Vocation:
Matrimony
& Holy Orders
Discernment of Vocations
• What can a person be called to?
- Religious, priest, married, single
• How do we know?
- Prayer!
• This is a serious life decision which should take
time and experience
• God calls you to a specific vocation that leads
you to be most happy
• Must have an element of trust; God is not going
to call you to something you hate
Matthew Kelly
• Our vocation is our “billboard”
• How are we living out our current
vocation? Does it inspire people or scare
people?
• We have to love differently, authentically
• It’s about a journey, an adventure!
• It’s about happiness. It’s about joy.
• God, what do you think I should do?
Journal: “God, what do you think I
should do with my life?”
• List a minimum of 5 things that make you
“you”.
– Things that bring joy to your life and are the
authentic you.
• Ask God, “What do you think I should do
today…?”
Journal: “God, what do you think I
should do with my life?”
• Talk with at least 1 other person in order to
get 5 things that they see that make you
“you”.
– Looking for the authentic you.
• Ask God, “What do you think I should do
today…?”
Journal: “God, what do you think I
should do with my life?”
• Homework
• Talking with at least 1 person at home, list
a minimum of 5 things that they see as the
authentic you.
• Ask God, “What do you think I should do
today…?”
Matrimony
• Definition: sacrament which unites a Christian
man and Christian woman in marriage
• Matter: mutual and free consent of a man and a
woman
• Form: approved formula of vows
• Minister: man and woman being joined in
Matrimony
– Priest or deacon’s role: official Church witness
• The two most important points are:
1. union of spouses
2. procreation and education of children
• CCC1660:
– “The marriage covenant, by which a man and
a woman form with each other an intimate
communion of life and love, has been
founded and endowed with its own special
laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is
ordered to the good of the couple, as well as
to the generation and education of children.
Christ the Lord raised marriage between the
baptized to the dignity of a sacrament.”
• Covenant = an exchanging of persons,
a promise.
• In marriage the covenant is made between
man, woman, and God
• Raise children to help them attain heaven
• Marriage is built on self-sacrifice, just as
Christ and the Church’s unity and
relationship is built
• Christ is the bridegroom and the Church is
the bride
• Genesis 2:18- “God saw it was not good
for man to be alone”
• Grace enables them to perfect and
sanctify their love
• Sin affects both partners in marriage
• Spouses lead each other to heaven
Celebration of Matrimony
• CCC ¶1621
• Should receive the sacrament of reconciliation
prior to marriage
• Celebration of matrimony normally takes place at
Mass
• Priest receives the couple in the name of the
Church and gives a blessing.
• CONSENT makes the marriage; it forms a valid
bond
Who receives sacrament
• Baptized man and woman
• Not under constraint; not forced
• Not impeded by any natural or
ecclesiastical law
Effects of Marriage
• Permanent bond between spouses
• Grace to keep marital promises (fidelity)
• Perfects love, welcome children, attain
holiness
• Forgive each other, bear each other’s
burdens
• Graces is given until one spouse dies
• Goal = total gift of self to other person,
graces make it possible
Conjugal love
• CCC ¶1643 “Married love”
• Love practiced within marriage between
husband and the wife
• A good act and strengthens the marriage
• Involves the total person
• Indissolubility, faithfulness, and fertility
elevated to distinctly Christian virtues.
Domestic Church
• Domestic church = your family; where
you are first taught values, rules, to know
God, education
• Learn through the love you see in your
families
• Parents aim at caring for their children
• Self-sacrificing love
• Teaches children how to approach lifegood times and difficult times
Sins against Marriage
• Contraception- deliberate interference with marital
intercourse to prevent conception
• Adultery- acts of marriage between married person and
party other than spouse
• Divorce- action that claims to break valid marital bond
• Polygamy- individual married to multiple spouses or
someone else already married
• Trial marriage- man and woman living together in
relationship that involves sexual intimacy outside of
marriage in attempt to evaluate what marriage would be
like (Cohabitation)
• Concubinage- man or woman involved in sexual intimacy
in exchange for payment
Holy Orders
• Definition: sacrament administered by a
bishop through which men receive the power
and grace to perform their sacred duties as
ordained ministers
• Matter: laying on of hands for all three degrees;
anointing with Chrism (hands of priest, head of
bishop)
• Form: silent invocation of Holy Spirit and
separate prayer of consecration for each order
• Minister: bishop
• CCC ¶1554, 1572
Hierarchy
(Arch) Bishops
Priest
Deacon
• Highest level of
Holy Orders
• Main power- ordain
deacons, priests,
bishops
• Can administer all
sacraments*
• Apostle’s
successors
• Oversee
(arch) diocese
• Assist and
obey bishop
• Administer all
sacraments*
except Holy
Orders
• preach and teach
the gospel
• Bishop’s
helper
• Oversee
Parish
•Perform acts of
service, help at
baptisms, marriages,
funerals, distribute
communion
•Priest’s helper
•Assists a parish
•
•
•
•
•
Renounces possibility of wife and children
Obedience to the bishop
Receive graces in order to serve others
Has duty to administer the sacraments
Leaves an indelible mark on the soul
• Common priesthood= laity are called to bring
others to the Church by prayer and example in
their work, friendships, and family
• Ministerial priesthood = give radical gift of self;
completely dedicate to directly building up the
Church, act in persona Christi and celebrate Christ
in the sacrifice of the Mass
Minister of Holy Orders
• Must be an ordained bishop
• Every bishop can trace succession back to the
apostles
• Must get permission by pope to ordain bishops, or
else he is excommunicated
• Bishop takes the place of Christ as the visible
teacher, shepherd, priest, acts as Christ’s
representative
• http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bfinnr.html
Priests, co-workers with bishops
• Receive indelible mark on the soul which
enable him to act in person of Christ
• Service to preach the gospel and
shepherd faithful, and give the sacraments
• Exercises authority in union with the
bishop
• Highest office of priest is celebration of
mass
Deacon’s role
• Assist bishop and priest in celebration of
Eucharist, distribute Communion, blessing
of marriages, proclaiming gospel,
presiding over funerals, baptizing and
various forms of service and charity
• Transitional deacons
• Permanent deacons
Celebration of Holy Orders
• Preferably occurs during a Sunday mass at a
cathedral.
• Must be ordained by a bishop
• Laying on of hands- of the head
• Specific blessing of man asking God for gifts of
the Holy Spirit
• Instruction by bishop
• Examination of candidate
• Anointing with chrism
• Given book of Gospels, chalice and paten
Requirements to receive Holy Orders
•
•
•
•
•
•
Baptized male
Interior and exterior call
Necessary knowledge of Holy Orders
Proper age, 24 yrs
Vow of celibacy
Study theology and other training
Graces of Holy Orders
• Reception of office of bishop, priest, deacon
• Particular grace to exercise ministry
• Strong in life