Vocabulary - Unit 6: Holy Orders

APOSTLES

From the Greek for “one sent forth.” It refers to the Twelve chosen by Jesus during the course of his public ministry to be his closest followers, as well as Sts. Matthias, Paul of Tarsus, Barnabas, and the enlighteners of whole nations.

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

The handing on of ecclesiastical authority from the Apostles to their successors the bishops through the laying on of hands.

BISHOP

From the Greek for “overseer.” By divine institution, he succeeds the Apostles through the Holy Spirit who is given to him. He is constituted a Pastor in the Church, to be the teacher of doctrine, the priest of sacred worship, and the minister of governance. (cf. CIC, 375)

CARDINAL

A member of a special college that elects the pope. This person is available to the pope to deal with issues of major importance or the daily care of the Church. (cf. CIC, 349)

CELIBACY

The state of one who has chosen to remain unmarried for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven in order to give himself entirely to God and to the service of his people.

CHASTITY

The moral virtue (under the cardinal virtue of temperance) that is directed toward the positive integration of sexuality within a person by moderating the sexual appetite. This virtue leads to truly human sexuality when integrated in a correct way into every relationship. Chastity is a gift of God, a grace, and a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

COLLEGE OF BISHOPS

The body of bishops, united with the Pope as their head, having its origin in the community of the Twelve Apostles with Peter at their head. The college of bishops under the Pope has supreme and full authority in the Catholic Church.

COMMON PRIESTHOOD OF THE FAITHFUL

The participation in the priesthood of Christ, which all of the faithful share through Baptism.

DEACON

From the Greek for “servant”: one who has been ordained to the first degree of Holy Orders, ordained not to priesthood but for ministry and service.

DIOCESE

A portion of the People of God that is entrusted to a bishop to be nurtured by him, with the coopera­tion of his priests, in such a way that, remaining close to its pastor and gathered by him through the Gospel and the Eucharist in the Holy Spirit, it constitutes a particular Church. In this Church, the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Christ truly exists and functions. (cf. CIC, 369)

EPISCOPAL COLLEGE

All bishops collectively in communion with the pope.

FATHERS OF THE CHURCH

Great theologians of the Church following the time of the Apostles. The Patristic age is named for these Fathers (Latin “patri”).

HOLY ORDERS

The Sacrament of Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church through the laying on of hands, which leaves a sacramental character on the soul.

MINISTER (MINISTRY)

A servant or attendant.

MINISTER OF THE HOLY COMMUNION (extraordinary)

Lay persons or non-ordained religious, who assist the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion in the distribution of the Sacrament when extraordinary circumstances exist, as defined by Canon Law.

MINISTER OF THE HOLY COMMUNION (ordinary)

Bishops, priests, and deacons who, by right of their ordination, have an official function in the celebration of the Mass. One of their responsibilities is the distribution of Holy Communion, both during the Mass and to those who are unable to attend due to illness or other circumstances.

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OBEDIENCE

Submission to the authority of God, which requires everyone to obey the divine law. For example, a priest obeys his bishop or religious superior as a representative of God.

ORDINATION

The rite of the Sacrament of Holy Orders by which the bishop, through the imposition of hands and the prayer of Consecration, confers the order of bishop, priest, or deacon by the power of the Holy Spirit on behalf of the Church.

POVERTY

The condition of want experienced by those who are poor, whom Christ called blessed, and for whom he had a special love. Poverty of spirit signifies humility and detachment from worldly things.

PRESBYTERATE

From the Greek for “elders”: the office of presbyter (priesthood); a body or the order of presbyters. This is one of the three degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

PRIEST

In the Old Testament, one of the tribe of Levi; in the New Testament, an abbreviation of the Greek presbyteros, “elder”: A member of the order of presbyters. This baptized and confirmed male is ordained to be a coworker with his bishop, to preside at public liturgies in his stead, and otherwise to assist his bishop in priestly service to the People of God.

RELIGIOUS

One who professes the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience in a canonically recognized institute. Also, a synonym for devout.

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