#priestly ministry

[igate777]

TRACKING GOD'S PROPHETIC TIMELINE FOR THE SEASON. THE AWAKENED SPIRIT. PART 15

TRACKING GOD’S PROPHETIC TIMELINE FOR THE SEASON. THE AWAKENED SPIRIT. PART 15

A TIME OF REFRESHING PRAYER AND PROPHETIC DECLERATION THE SPIRIT OF AWAKENING NUMBERS 33:1-2. THESE ARE THE JOURNEYS OF THE ISRAELITES WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT BY THEIR DIVISIONS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MOSES AND AARON. 2 AT THE LORD’S COMMAND, MOSES RECORDED THE STAGES OF THEIR JOURNEY. THESE ARE THE STAGES LISTED BY THEIR STARTING POINTS:… The awakened Spirit is one of the…

[ihsnamih]

[cathnews]

Germany's ‘synodal way’ seeking permanent ‘synodal council’ vote

Germany’s ‘synodal way’ seeking permanent ‘synodal council’ vote

Participants in Germany’s “synodal way” will vote next month on a controversial proposal. If passed, the proposal would create a powerful permanent “synodal council” to oversee the local Church. Fourteen papers will be put to a vote at the synodal way’s fourth plenary assembly next week. One, “Sustainable strengthening of Synodality: A Synodal Council for the Catholic Church in Germany,” will…

[myremnantarmy]

𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥

Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

Lk 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,

there was a priest named Zechariah

of the priestly division of Abijah;

his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,

and her name was Elizabeth.

Both were righteous in the eyes of God,

observing all the commandments

and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren

and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest

in his division's turn before God,

according to the practice of the priestly service,

he was chosen by lot

to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside

at the hour of the incense offering,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him,

standing at the right of the altar of incense.

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah,

because your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you shall name him John.

And you will have joy and gladness,

and many will rejoice at his birth,

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,

and he will turn many of the children of Israel

to the Lord their God.

He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah

to turn the hearts of fathers toward children

and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,

to prepare a people fit for the Lord."

Then Zechariah said to the angel,

"How shall I know this?

For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

And the angel said to him in reply,

"I am Gabriel, who stand before God.

I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk

until the day these things take place,

because you did not believe my words,

which will be fulfilled at their proper time."

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah

and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,

and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.

He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,

and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit

to take away my disgrace before others."

[haggishlyhagging]

It is significant that it is not only the negative qualities of a victim that have been projected upon women: the propensity for being temptresses, the evil and matter-bound "nature" of the female, the alleged shallowness of mind, weakness of will, and hyper-emotionality. The qualities that Christianity idealizes, especially for women, are also those of a victim: sacrificial love, passive acceptance of suffering, humility, meekness, etc. Since these are the qualities idealized in Jesus "who died for our sins," his functioning as a model reinforces the scapegoat syndrome for women. Given the victimized situation of the female in sexist society, these "virtues" are hardly the qualities that women should be encouraged to have. Moreover, since women cannot be "good" enough to measure up to this ideal, and since all are by sexual definition alien from the male savior, this is an impossible model. Thus doomed to failure even in emulating the Victim, women are plunged more deeply into victimization.

It is also important to remember that in medieval theology Jesus came to be understood as the priest par excellence, who offered the supreme sacrifice of himself on the cross. The priestly caste in the church then came to be understood as those set apart and enabled in a special way by their ordination to participate in this sacrifice, identifying with Jesus in the act of offering his body and blood in the Mass. Women universally have been excluded from this role on the basis of sex. This imposed incapacity to identify ritually with the supreme scapegoat, in the sense of officially and actively "offering the sacrifice of the Cross" (or in fact participating officially in any ministry in Roman Catholicism) may at first seem inconsistent with women's victimized role within Christianity. However, a closer analysis reveals a basic consistency. As the powerless victims of scapegoat psychology, women are deprived of the "credit" for sacrifice and the dignity of taking an active role. Women are not the “innocent” victims offering the self in immolation for the sins of others, as Christian theology has imagined Jesus. In fact, the blame is never lifted from the female sex. Those in the official priesthood share in the "innocence" and active dignity of the Christ. Women, though encouraged to imitate the sacrificial love of Jesus, and thus willingly accept the victim's role, remain essentially identified with Eve and evil. Salvation comes only through the male.

-Mary Daly, Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy of Women’s Liberation

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Sunday, May 19, 2024

may 6_may 19

Tradition Liturgique: On the Third Sunday of Pascha the Orthodox Church celebrates theMyrrh-Bearing women as well as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodimius.

SAINTS. MARY AND MARTHA, SISTERS OF ST. LAZARUS (1ST C.)

Icon: Uncut Mountain Supply

The righteous sisters Martha and Mary were believers in Christ even before He raised their brother Saint Lazarus (October 17) from the dead. After the murder of the holy Archdeacon Stephen a persecution against the Jerusalem Church broke out, and Righteous Lazarus was cast out of Jerusalem. The holy sisters then assisted their brother in the proclaiming of the Gospel in various lands.

Saints Martha and Mary are also commemorated on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women.

VENERABLE JOB, HEGUMEN OF POCHAEV AND WONDERWORKER (1651)

Saint Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev (in the world named Ivan Zhelezo), was born around 1551 in Pokutia in Galicia. At age ten he came to the Transfiguration Ugornits monastery, and at age twelve he received monastic tonsure with the name Job. The venerable Job from his youth was known for his great piety and strict ascetic life, and he was accounted worthy of the priestly office.

Around the year 1580, at the request of the renowned champion of Orthodoxy Prince Constantine Ostrozhsky, Saint Job was appointed the head of the Exaltation of the Cross monastery near the city of Dubno, and for more than twenty years he governed the monastery amidst the growing persecution of Orthodoxy on the part of the Catholics and Uniates.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Saint Job withdrew to Pochaev hill and settled in a cave not far from the ancient Dormition monastery, famed for its wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God (July 23). The holy hermit, beloved by the brethren of the monastery, was chosen as their Igumen. Saint Job zealously fulfilled his duty as head of the monastery, kind and gentle with the brethren, he did much of the work himself, planting trees in the garden, and strengthening the waterworks at the monastery.

Saint Job was an ardent defender of the Orthodox Faith against the persecution of the Catholics. Following the Union of Brest (1596), many Orthodox living in Poland were deprived of their rights, and attempts were made to force them to convert to Catholicism. Many Orthodox hierarchs became apostates to Uniatism, but Saint Job and others defended Orthodoxy by copying and disseminating Orthodox books. Prince Ostrozhsky was also responsible for the first printed edition of the Orthodox Bible (1581).

In taking an active part in the defense of Orthodoxy and the Russian people, Saint Job was present at the 1628 Kiev Council, convened against the Unia. After 1642, he accepted the great schema with the name John.

Sometimes he completely secluded himself within the cave for three days or even a whole week. The Jesus Prayer was an unceasing prayer in his heart. According to the testimony of his disciple Dositheus, and author of the Life of Saint Job, once while praying in his cave, the saint was illumined by a heavenly light. Saint Job reposed in the year 1651. He was more than 100 years old, and had directed the Pochaev monastery for more than fifty years.

The uncovering of Saint Job’s relics took place on August 28, 1659. There was a second uncovering of the relics on August 27-28, 1833.

Source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

ACTS 6:1-7

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

MARK 15:43-16:8

43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you. 8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

[kalessinsdaughter]

Mistborn – The Final Empire, Prologue

Kalessin reads cosmere

Chapter 1

I'm back, with Mistborn.

This is plantation slavery, with a twist: the skaa slaves, aren't the property of the plantation owner; they belong to the Lord Ruler, and are leased from him, under a contract to produce crops. Neat setup for bringing in revenue. Especially with a priestly caste of obligator clerks in his employ, whose mandatory services the aristocracy have to pay him for. Yup, this Lord Ruler sure seems to have all his bases covered.

Kelsier is our first protagonist, clearly an important person among the skaa, (in)famous for defying the Lord Ruler. These Pits of Hathsin, a place of punishment?

Here's the magic! Burning tin, an Allomantic metal, in his stomach (!) gives Kelsier enhanced senses (which hints at other metals giving other powers). Intriguing.

Whaaat! Aristocrats are required to kill skaa women after they rape them, to prevent skaa from having "half-breed" children who might possess powers the skaa aren't even supposed to know exist. That's vile!

Is this Kelsier's background? Was he such a child? Does this mean aristocrats only normally inherit those powers?

Hah, Kelsier wiped out the lord of the manor, and all his men. Not only to force the skaa there to rebel, I'm sure; it's personal to him.

History background, the skaa have been enslaved for a thousand years. Is that how long the Lord Ruler has reigned? And the smoke and Ash (volcanic?) started then, as well? I take it the book's title, The Final Empire, means the Lord Ruler intends to rule forever?

What about these ominous nighttime mists that people fear to venture out in?

What are mistwraiths?

Also, I feel that the feared Inquisition of the Steel Ministry is going to be important.

[gravehags]

can we talk about how i ordered so many books about the vatican for this fucking capstone i got this in the mail today lmao

ngl i’m intrigued by “sex, priestly ministry, and the church” 👀

[cassianus]

“Always be convinced of this, dear brother priests: this ministry of mercy is one of the most beautiful and most consoling. It enables you to enlighten consciences, to forgive them and to give them fresh vigour in the name of the Lord Jesus. It enables you to be for them a spiritual physician and counsellor; it remains “the irreplaceable manifestation and the test of the priestly ministry”.

St. John Paul II

[albertfinch]

REPLACING THE GRASSHOPPER MENTALITY

"It shall be, in regard to their inheritance, that I am thieir inheritance.  You shall give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession." - Ezekiel 44:28

The Lord wants to fill us with a holy desperation and a holy violence to lay hold of Him.  It's a hunger that will drive us into holy romance with the Lord -- to enthrone Him in every area of our lives -- it's a fresh hunger to come into such ONENESS  with Jesus that we die to ourselves and come into holy INTIMACY with Him.

"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." - John 6:27

God is desperately hungry for us to possess the promised land and lay hold of our CALLING in Christ.  We are to live in the very Glory of God.  However, we must daily overcome the spirit of the world and press behind the veil that is already torn that we might eat of the Bread of Heaven and look upon the blueprints of heaven.

"For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world....I am the bread of life.  he who comes to Me shall never hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." -  John 6:33,35

THE BODY OF CHRIST IS LIVING IN PSALM 23 AND PSALM 24

Psalm 23 is all about the Priestly anointing/lifestyle and Psalm 24 is all about the Kingly anointing and taking the land by letting the King of Glory come in.

The priest must find the underground flow of God's presence and power even in the midst of the dessert. -- die to self and learn to feast at God's table in the presence of their enemies. 

God is looking for those who have learned to feed upon Him even in the wilderness and have now become a drink for others to drink from.  In Psalm 23 even in the valley of the shadow of death we are feasting at God's table and we are in the place where oil is being continuously poured out upon our heads.

As we enter into Psalm 24 -- it's time to lift up our heads to the Lord and let the King of Glory come in and wage war through us.

WARRIOR MINDSET REPLACING THE GRASSHOPPER MENTALITY

"The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." - Daniel 11:32b

Many feel that their life is a waste and doesn't count for anything.  Hope deferred has made their hearts sick. They have no sense of DESTINY. 

But those who have been looking upon Him and feeding upon Him ask, seek, and knock until they understand and carry-out  God's PURPOSE for their lives and become radiant and the shame of their lives is washed away because they are tasting that the Lord is good.  They are shedding that grasshopper mentality and God is pouring the oil of an overcomer over their lives as they bear fruit that remains for God’s Kingdom.

PRAYER

Lord, I ask you now to pour out the Spirit of the Overcomer.  Let there be a supernatural release of the shout of war upon Your people.  I lift up my head to You and ask that the King of Glory would come in and breakthrough so that I can breakout.  Lord, stir me out of the wilderness and grip me with a holy violence and jealousy to lay hold of my Christ identity and CALLING in Christ.  May I be strong and advance your Kingdom in the earth for your faithfulness and glory. - Amen

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[gayleviticus]

I think the Gospel of John is the book of the bible which has changed most to me over the years without my objective understanding of it having changed. like, I read the pastoral differently knowing they probably weren't written by Paul, I read Revelation differently knowing its probably a coded drama about Rome and persecution (but that nonetheless has timeless things to say about God's justice and human empire and martyrdom and the eventual coming of Christ and new creation), I read the Pentateuch differently knowing all about Jahwist and Priestly source and blah blah blah.

And there's a little bit of that w John - mainly, the fact it seems to be one of the more recent gospels that reinterprets the life of Jesus thru the lens of the Christian community at the time and its painful divorce from Judaism (like John has people being exiled from the synagogue for believing in Jesus as the Messiah, which historically speaking seems a bit premature).

But I think mainly just the vibes feel different to me now than they used to. I haven't unlocked a secret historical understanding of John; it just has this almost melancholy, spiritual loneliness to it at times to me.

Instead of the monster of the week episodic exorcisms and healings of the synoptics we get a carefully chosen sequence of miracle stories that escalate quite dramatically into the plot to kill Jesus; his relationship to the Pharisees is quite consistently one of being persecuted and threatened w violence rather than them being more equal rivals throughout the synoptics; instead of parables and moral teachings he goes on long and honestly confusing speeches that make him out to be someone truly mysterious and otherworldly.

He speaks at length of returning to the Father and his kingdom not being of this world, and yet there are also very tender moments of love and human connection - the frivolous joy of turning water to wine at Cana, weeping at Lazarus' grave, Mary and Martha's honest accusation that 'if you had been here Lord, he would not have died', washing the disciples feet, 'I have not lost any of those you have given me', 'having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end' 'greater love hath no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends', 'I no longer call you servants, but friends'.

there's an interesting depth and ambiguity to John I find, almost. The synoptics are a bit like the weekly episodic adventures of Jesus - the happy, golden years of Jesus' ministry marred by a horrific tragedy that breaks out into resurrection. There's room for countless more stories on the road to Jerusalem of bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives and sight to the blind.

Whereas John feels a bit more like the miniseries, or even movie version- denser, tighter.

[hpsaffics]

2015 ~ Longest HP Femslash Fics

F/F tagged works sorted by Word Count on AO3*

As of 2023.2 (585 works)

*Only fics with a sapphic main pairing are included (listed by WC)

—

1. By The Light by Lycanthrope [Hermione/OC, E, 278k]

In the first year of Voldermort's return a Slytherin girl who is very close to Hermione, undergoes a drastic change through herself and the world around her. This is her story.

2. Stay Forever True by charis_chan [Hermione/Luna, M, 137k]

For one, Voldemort is dead and she is now something of a celebrity. For the other, she is alone and she is not liked. The two meet in an unpleasant way... what happens after? How can they cope with their new lives and the new bridges that will be built and those that will be burned? Who is Loony? But more importantly, who is Morgen?

3. Mercy by Dylan_Black, MeirhaBlack [Alice Cullen/Hermione, M, 85k]

Alice Cullen has seen someone coming; someone who will change their lives forever; someone she has fallen in love with before ever seeing face to face. Dare she try to influence the future she's been shown or should she let it play out as it is meant? *Crossover with Twilight

4. Tom and Luna a First Person Narrative by Ysolde [Hermione/Luna, Fleur/Luna, E, 84k]

When my mind returns I still have no body, no hands. I am in a formless shapless place with…words? I look closer and see them, yes those are words. I read them and it is the Diary! I have trapped myself in my own damned diary. Sixty or so years later I end up sharing head space with Luna Lovegood.

5. The Cerulean Dragon by jazwriter [Hermione/Minerva, Miranda Priestly/Andrea Sachs, E, 76k]

Andy has disappeared, and Miranda has noticed. Directly after hearing that Andy was sighted in London, Miranda is summoned by the Ministry of Magic to use her special expertise to combat a threat against the wizarding and Muggle worlds. *Crossover with The Devil Wears Prada

6. Ginny Weasley and the Riddle of Tom's Diary by DevlinGrace [Hermione/Ginny, NR, 56k]

It's Ginny first year at Hogwarts. She's excited but no one else knows the real reason. Hermione.

7. If there was nowhere to land by songsaboutdrowning [Isabella Summers/Florence Welch, Isabella Summers/OC, T, 51k]

AU, set at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Florence Welch and Isabella Summers meet when Florence has just started school and Isabella is about to finish. But they are destined to meet again. *Crossover with Florence + the Machine

8. A spell called Love by dragonsl5 [Hermione/Minerva, E, 42k]

What happens when a spell causes Hermione to make a late night visit to Minerva's rooms? Hopefully the story is much better than the summary.

9. The Rising Phoenix by jazwriter [Hermione/Minerva, E, 38k]

The story picks up directly after the final defeat of Voldemort. While helping with Hogwarts repairs, Hermione realizes that her feelings for a certain Headmistress run much deeper than she'd ever imagined.

10. Two Sides of the Same Coin by jazwriter [Amanda Priestly/Andrea Sachs, Hermione/Minerva, E, 37k]

I was given the prompt by an awesome person on the Facebook group, DWP - MirAndy -Andy/Miranda, was the result of her imagining Meryl Streep as a female Severus. My mind leapt to them being twins, particularly since she created a wonderful manipulation of a dark-haired Miranda in Snape's clothing. *Crossover with The Devil Wears Prada

—

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More from 2015 | Top fics in other years

[apenitentialprayer]

Okay, now I'm kind of annoyed, so just going to say this out loud? It's incredibly important that Mary Magdalene is the Apostle to the Apostles; that God's first public witness to His Resurrection is a woman. But this commissioning of Mary Magdalene to give the news to the Apostles is not clearly analogous to Christ's commissioning of the Twelve Apostles? In Matthew 10, Jesus gives the Twelve authority; they are not only to preach, but to perform exorcisms, bring healing, raise the dead, and cleanse people. In John 20, the same chapter that Jesus tells Mary to preach the Resurrection, Jesus breathes on the Twelve and tells them they have the authority to forgive or retain sins; Mary does not get this in her own encounter with Jesus. One can argue that Thomas is not present for this, but in Acts 2 Peter and the other Eleven (now including Thomas) receive the Holy Spirit and publicly preach and perform a miracle. The fact that Jesus commissioned only men to have this special kind of authority isn't necessarily an argument against the ordination of women; but neither is Mary Magdalene's commission to preach the Resurrection an indisputably strong argument for it? Especially given how it seems to be the go-to argument, that it seems to be deployed against the idea that Jesus only called men to priestly ministry, I'd expect something stronger? And, frankly, I think the Magdalene mission is better suited to the argument that the prophetic voices of women and the laity need to be better included in the governing of the Church than it is an argument that women should be ordained in the Church; that perhaps the inclusion of non-ordained members in higher positions in the hierarchy (as Pope Francis is trying to do) would be a good development for the Church.

[myremnantarmy]

𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Gospel LK 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,

there was a priest named Zechariah

of the priestly division of Abijah;

his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,

and her name was Elizabeth.

Both were righteous in the eyes of God,

observing all the commandments

and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren

and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest

in his division’s turn before God,

according to the practice of the priestly service,

he was chosen by lot

to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside

at the hour of the incense offering,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him,

standing at the right of the altar of incense.

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,

because your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you shall name him John.

And you will have joy and gladness,

and many will rejoice at his birth,

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,

and he will turn many of the children of Israel

to the Lord their God.

He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah

to turn the hearts of fathers toward children

and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,

to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

Then Zechariah said to the angel,

“How shall I know this?

For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

And the angel said to him in reply,

“I am Gabriel, who stand before God.

I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk

until the day these things take place,

because you did not believe my words,

which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah

and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,

and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.

He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,

and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit

to take away my disgrace before others.”

[catenaaurea]

The Baltimore Catechism

Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer

Lesson Thirty-Four: Extreme Unction and Holy Orders

443. What is Extreme Unction?

Extreme Unction is the sacrament which, through the anointing with blessed oil by the priest, and through his prayer, gives health and strength to the soul and sometimes to the body when we are in danger of death from sickness, accident, or old age. (James 5:14)

444. Who should receive Extreme Unction?

All Catholics who have reached the use of reason and are in danger of death from sickness, accident, or old age should receive Extreme Unction.

445. What are the effects of the sacrament of Extreme Unction?

The effects of the sacrament of Extreme Unction are:

an increase of sanctifying grace;

comfort in sickness and strength against temptation;

preparation for entrance into heaven by the remission of our venial sins and the cleansing of our souls from the remains of sin;

health of body when it is good for the soul.

And the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15)

446. When does Extreme Unction take away mortal sin?

Extreme Unction takes away mortal sin when the sick person is unconscious or otherwise unaware that he is not properly disposed, but has made an act of imperfect contrition.

447. How should we prepare ourselves to receive Extreme Unction worthily?

We should prepare ourselves to receive Extreme Unction worthily by a good confession, by acts of faith, hope, charity, and, especially, by resignation to the will of God. (Ecclesiasticus 38:9)

448. Who can administer Extreme Unction?

Only a priest can administer Extreme Unction.

449. When is it advisable to call the priest to visit the sick?

It is advisable to call the priest to visit the sick in any serious illness, even though there be no apparent danger of death, as it is the duty of the priest to visit the sick and to administer to them the sacraments they need.

450. In case of sudden or unexpected death, should a priest be called?

In case of sudden or unexpected death a priest should be called always, because absolution and Extreme Unction can be given conditionally for some time after apparent death.

451. 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. (Hebrews 5:1)

452. What are some of the requirements that a man may receive Holy Orders worthily?

That a man may receive Holy Orders worthily it is necessary:

that he be in the state of grace and be of excellent character;

that he have the prescribed age and learning;

that he have the intention of devoting his life to the sacred ministry;

that he be called to Holy Orders by his bishop.

If anyone is eager for the office of bishops, he desires a good work. A bishop then, must be blameless, married but once, reserved, prudent, of good conduct, hospitable, a teacher, not a drinker or a brawler, but moderate, not quarrelsome, not avaricious. (I Timothy 3:1-3)

452a. What is meant essentially by a vocation to the priesthood?

By a vocation to the priesthood is meant essentially 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.

452b. What are the chief signs that a man has been called by God to the priesthood?

The chief signs that a man has been called by God to the priesthood are: 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.

452c. Do religious brothers and sisters receive the sacrament of Holy Orders?

No; religious brothers and sisters do not receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, but they have received from God a vocation to dedicate their lives to His service.

453. What are the effects of ordination to the priesthood?

The effects of ordination to the priesthood are: first, an increase of sanctifying grace; second, sacramental grace, through which the priest has God's constant help in his sacred ministry; third, a character, lasting forever, which is a special sharing in the priesthood of Christ and which gives the priest special supernatural powers. (Psalm 109:4)

454. What are the chief supernatural powers of the priest?

The chief supernatural powers of the priest are: 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. (John 20:22-23)

455. 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. (Ecclesiasticus 7:31)

456. Who is the minister of the sacrament of Holy Orders?

The bishop is the minister of the sacrament of Holy Orders.