How do you recieve holy orders in the roman cathol

[Guest :: Katie ::]

How do you recieve holy orders in the roman catholic church today?

[BLAZEr]

You apply to the Bishop for admittance to the Seminary. You study for a few years. You get ordained by a Bishop as a deacon, and within a year as a priest.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders refers only to the priesthood. You are ordained when a Bishop annoints your hands with Holy Oil and lays hands on your head pronouncing the words of concescration to the priesthood.

[Theologian in Training]

As Blazer said, you apply to a diocese that will sponsor your education. You enter a seminary with 24 or more credits in philosophy and 15 or more credits in religious studies, as well as an undergraduate degree of some kind. If the philosophy requirements are not met, you must take 1 year (2 semesters) of Pre-Theology which is an intense study in philosophy balanced by a brief "introduction" to theology. These courses are designed as undergraduate courses.

Upon completion of those studies one undertakes graduate studies in Theology. During the course of those studies, for the first two years, he recieves what are known as minor orders. Therefore, in the first year there is the installation as a Lector which is a formal recognition by the Church that they can read the readings within the context of the liturgy (they are not allowed to read the Gospel). During the second year there is the installation as an acolyte, which means that one can now serve at Mass, process in with candles and is now an official Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist (Eucharistic Minister) Also, on very rare occasions, if need be, in the absence of a priest or deacon, he can officiate in a communion service.

Finally, in the third and fourth year, one is actually ordained. In the third year he is ordained a transistional deacon, who can officiate at weddings and Baptisms. He is also given the faculties to preach, bless (he can only bless people within a liturgical setting), and proclaim the Gospel. In the fourth and final year he is ordained a priest upon the completion of his second semester and Masters in Divinity. He then has faculties to do all the lector, acolyte, and deacon can as well as give absolution in confession, anoint the sick and the dying, bless people and objects, and, of course, consecrate the Bread and Wine so they can become the Body and Blood of Christ.

Hope that helps

God Bless