"Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.
The divinely instituted ecclesiastical ministry is exercised in different degrees by those who even from ancient times have been called bishops, priests, and deacons. Catholic doctrine, expressed in the liturgy, the Magisterium, and the constant practice of the Church, recognizes that there are two degrees of ministerial participation in the priesthood of Christ: the episcopacy and the presbyterate . the diaconate is intended to help and serve them. For this reason the term sacerdos in current usage denotes bishops and priests but not deacons. Yet Catholic doctrine teaches that the degrees of priestly participation (episcopate and presbyterate) and the degree of service (diaconate) are all three conferred by a sacramental act called "ordination," that is, by the sacrament of Holy Orders."
Catechism of the Catholic Church §1536.1554
Diocesan Priesthood
A diocesan priest can also be described as a parish priest, or one who works within and serves a particular parish within a diocese. Diocesan priests are very active people, with friends, hobbies and recreational activities, just like anybody else. It’s said that a diocesan priest is ‘someone who lives with the people and each becomes a part of the other’s life’. The role of a diocesan priest is to:
- Serve the individuals and families within his parish
- Be the spiritual leader of that community
- Some diocesan priests serve the diocese in schools, as teachers or chaplains, in hospitals or in prisons.
Promises
A diocesan priest commits himself to a celibate life and to obedience to the bishop. Both celibacy and obedience are rooted in of Christ who offered Himself in loving service of the Father. Celibacy calls for a spirit of selflessness and is a sign of the ultimate call to union with God. Obedience fosters a willing surrender to the will of God in all circumstances.
More Than a Job
Deciding on a priestly vocation is, in one sense, a career choice like any other. Skills and attributes include:
- Strong interpersonal abilities
- Leadership
- Charity towards others
- Positive self-image
- Good health
- Emotional stability
But being a priest is more than a job – it's a way of life, requiring strong personal and professional commitment that is reflected in all that you do – all that you are. A commitment to a daily life of personal prayer is at the heart of what it means to be a priest. There are many benefits and rewards in the priesthood. The opportunity to serve God and bring hope, joy and healing into the lives of many people brings with it a deep happiness and a sense of peace.
A Special Role
The Eucharist is the centre of a priest’s life and ministry. In addition to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, a diocesan priest is ordained to:
- Offer pastoral service
- Proclaim God’s word
- Minister the Sacraments (the visible signs of God’s presence in the Christian community), e.g. celebrate baptism, witness marriages, bring comfort at funerals, and bring God’s healing presence to people through the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) and the Sacrament of the Sick.
- Diocesan priests set aside some time each day for personal reflection and private prayer.
- Visits to the sick and troubled, working on various parish projects and activities, and counseling for individuals, married couples or families are also part of his role.
If you think you may be called to the priesthood, please get in touch with one of the priests of the parish, or the diocesan priestly vocations director, Fr Peter McAnenly (details below) for further information.
Permanent Diaconate
A Brief History and Explanation of the Permanent Diaconate
The apostles in Jerusalem, finding it difficult to combine the distribution of food to the poor with preaching the word and prayer, appointed seven ministers to serve those in who were in need (cf Acts 6:1-7), charity being considered as central to the ministry of the Church. The apostles handed over this duty to ‘men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom’ by praying and laying hands on them. Among these was Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Saint Paul, writing about 57 AD, includes deacons in his greeting in Philippians (1:1) and writing to Timothy lists the qualities and virtues which all deacons are expected to possess and exercise in their ministry (I Tim 3:8-13), indicating that the diaconate had already become a separate office in the Church. The very term ‘diakonia’ describes the central characteristic of this order: the deacon is called to service. The witness of the early Fathers of the Church acknowledges the importance of the diaconal ministry. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, about 100 AD, says that it would be impossible to have the Church without bishops, priests and deacons. He explains that their task was nothing less than to continue ‘the ministry of Jesus Christ’.
After the fifth century, however, there was a decline in the permanent diaconate in the Latin Church. From the early Middle Ages the diaconate remained only as a transitionalorder that men received as part of their preparation for the priesthood. There were occasional exceptions to this rule however, Saint Francis of Assisi, for example, was ordained a deacon but not a priest. But the reality was that the permanent character of this order was abandoned by the Latin Church for many centuries.
During the Second Vatican Council the permanent character of the order was restored and renewed when the Council in October 1963 called for the reestablishment of the ministry of the permanent deacon. In June 1967, Pope Paul VI carried out the desire of the Council when he published the Apostolic Letter Sacrum diaconatus ordinem in which he reestablished the permanent diaconate in the Latin Church. The Council, in its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, echoes the ancient image and concerns of the New Testament when it speaks of the ministry and nature of the diaconate:
At a lower level of the hierarchy are deacons, upon whom hands are imposed "not unto the priesthood, but unto a ministry of service”. For strengthened by sacramental grace, in communion with the bishop and his group of priests they serve in the diaconate of the liturgy, of the word, and of charity to the people of God. It is the duty of the deacon, according as it shall have been assigned to him by competent authority, to administer baptism solemnly, to be custodian and dispenser of the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages in the name of the Church, to bring Viaticum to the dying, to read the Sacred Scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the people, to preside over the worship and prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramentals, to officiate at funeral and burial services. Dedicated to duties of charity and of administration, let deacons be mindful of the admonition of Blessed Polycarp: "Be merciful, diligent, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who became the servant of all."
Lumen Gentium §29
Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Armagh
For the first time in centuries the Archdiocese of Armagh has begun to accept and ordain men to the permanent diaconate. On 29th September, 2013 five men from across the diocese were ordained in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. Many more are currently in formation for service as deacons in the archdiocese.
If you think you may be called to the permanent diaconate, please get in touch with one of the priests of the parish or the diocesan permanent diaconate director, Fr John Gates (details below) for further information.
Is God Calling You to Holy Orders?
Here are some practical suggestions to help someone who is thinking about a vocation to Holy Orders:
- Daily Mass – One who is discerning a call to Holy Orders is encouraged to participate in the daily celebration of Mass so that he can grow in his relationship with the Lord.
- Sacrament of Penance – The celebration of the Sacrament of Penance is the way in which a man attempts to live a holy life – through the frequent confession of sins and by the Grace of God.
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – This is a powerful way to grow in love with the Eucharistic Lord and grow in the spiritual life. Dungannon parish adoration chapel, Áras Mhuire (see parish map), is open Monday to Friday 6am - 12midnight, Saturday 10am - 1pm, and Sunday 2pm - 6pm.
- Daily Prayer – This is time to set aside for God alone, usually in a quiet place at a specific time each day. This prayer time might consist of talking to the Lord in one’s own words or praying the sacred scriptures, especially the Gospels. Developing a daily habit and pattern of prayer will help the young man to hear more clearly the call of the Lord.
- Spiritual Direction – Speaking with a priest of the parish or a qualified individual trained in direction about one’s prayer life and seeking advice from this person on a regular basis is very helpful as one discerns a vocation to Holy Orders.
- Discernment Programs – Attending a retreat, a diocesan vocation evening or joining a discussion group of other young men discerning a vocation are invaluable in helping one to come to greater clarity about God’s call to priesthood or diaconate.
- Devotion to the Blessed Mother – Praying the rosary daily and seeking the powerful intercession of the Blessed Mother is especially recommended in the discernment process.
- Get Involved in some form of service with the Church. For example, outreach to the poor, teaching religious education, lecturing at Mass, taking Holy Communion to the sick, working with the young of a parish, etc. are ways to give one a taste of “ministry” and may also increase one’s desire for ministry and service.
- Talk to a Vocation Director – in order to obtain further information about seminary and priestly life. The vocation director may also help through regular meetings so as to help in discerning with the young man the authenticity of the call.
Priestly Vocations Director
Fr Peter McAnenly, Adm
42 Abbey Street
Armagh, BT61 7DZ
Tel: (028) 3752 2802
Email: p.mcanenly@btopenworld.com
Permanent Diaconate Director
Fr John Gates, PP
30 King Street
Magherafelt
Co. Derry, BT45 6AS
Tel: (028) 7963 2439
Email: jgatesbrack@btconnect.com
