THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS
At the Last Supper Jesus gave to His Church the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He made His Apostles priests when He gave them the command and power to do what He had just done, "Do this in remembrance of Me." This power to offer sacrifice in the name of Jesus and of His Church made the Apostles priests.
On Easter Sunday night, Jesus gave His Apostles the power to forgive sins in His name. "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men's sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, they are held bound."
The Apostles passed their priestly power on to other men in the Sacrament of Holy Orders; they ordained more Bishops to carry on their work. These Bishops ordained other Bishops and priests. The power of the priesthood today came from Jesus Himself. The Sacrament of Holy Orders makes certain men more like Jesus Christ, gives them a sacred power to serve the People of God by offering the Sacrifice of the Mass, forgiving sins, and anointing the sick.
The Seven Sacraments by Fr. Lovasik S.V.D.
On Easter Sunday night, Jesus gave His Apostles the power to forgive sins in His name. "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men's sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, they are held bound."
The Apostles passed their priestly power on to other men in the Sacrament of Holy Orders; they ordained more Bishops to carry on their work. These Bishops ordained other Bishops and priests. The power of the priesthood today came from Jesus Himself. The Sacrament of Holy Orders makes certain men more like Jesus Christ, gives them a sacred power to serve the People of God by offering the Sacrifice of the Mass, forgiving sins, and anointing the sick.
The Seven Sacraments by Fr. Lovasik S.V.D.