Sacrament of Holy Orders
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.”
The Priesthood: A Beacon of Light and Guidance
The priesthood is a divine vocation that bestows upon an individual the power to bring the Eucharist to the faithful and administer the other sacraments. As a priest, you will serve as a spiritual shepherd, tirelessly guiding and nurturing the flock entrusted to your care. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, you are given the grace and spiritual power to offer absolution of sins, comfort the sick, and provide counsel to those in spiritual need. The Consecrated life is a devout commitment, a special calling, a radical surrender of one's personal ambitions and desires in order to pursue a life centered on prayer, community, and selfless service to God and the Church. The priests live out their vocation through a life of simplicity, which allows them to follow Christ more closely and imitate His life of sacrificial love. Their lives are a profound example of what it means to live in the world, yet not of it.
“You did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you.”
The Diaconate: A Servant-Leader for the Church
If you seek to serve God's people through works that resonate with compassion, then the diaconate is calling your name. As a deacon, you're granted the honor of proclaiming the Gospel, assisting in the liturgy, the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony, and engaging in charitable acts on behalf of the Church. You'll be a bridge between the spiritual and the practical, dedicating yourself to works of mercy and social justice so that the love of Christ reaches all corners of society. Through this witness, deacons become beacons of hope and inspiration, radiating the presence of God and inviting others to deepen their own relationship with the Him.
“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.””
Do you feel called to a religious vocation?
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
Are you ready to embark on a truly meaningful and fulfilling journey, dedicated to serving the Lord and His Church? Do you feel called to a life of spiritual devotion and leadership? If you feel the stirring in your heart, urging you to explore the remarkable path of the priesthood or diaconate, we invite you to reach out and talk to our priests/deacons. Trust in the Lord's plan and let your vocation become a vibrant testament to His everlasting love and grace!
Click here to learn more about Vocations from the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Prayer for Priests
by St. Therese of the Child Jesus
O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their pointed hands which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Your Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood. Let Your Holy Love surround them and shield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in heaven, their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.””
Resources
To understand more the biblical basis of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, make sure to watch the following videos.