The sacraments of Christian Vocation
Holy Orders
It is important to note that “one does not receive an order; one enters an order”(Lawrence 2007, p.16). “They are a concrete group of people who are chosen and recognized by the church for a particular ministry”(Lawrence 2007, p.16). Without these orders it would be next to impossible for people to attain and celebrate their catholic faith. Bishops, priests and deacons act as a conductor to our faith.
Catholic Church acknowledges three orders: deaconate, the presbyterate and the episcopate. The order of the presbyterate take the role of directors in today’s church, or as what we call today a priest. The order of the episcopate are the order in charge, they are what we call Bishops. “The bishop was head of the early Christian councils of elders and was called the overseer, in Greek episkopos”(Lawrence 2007, p.8). The final order, the deaconate, contains deacon who assist the bishop. Bishops and presbyters both share in the priesthood whereas deacons do not. Both bishops and presbyters are ordained priests.
Holy Matrimony
“It is not just a legal bond conferring certain rights and duties, but a deep bond of love and commitment, modeled on the covenant between Christ and the church”(Lawrence 2007, p.12). Marriage is the only sacrament administered by the couple and not a leader from the Roman Catholic Church. The two people getting married confer the sacrament on each other through the mutual giving of consent (Lawrence 2007). A marriage is not considered valid without the presence of a priest and two witnesses. In marriage, a man and a woman give themselves to each other unconditionally. Through the giving of themselves in marriage, their love to each other represents a covenant. It is a covenant of love, similar to the covenant of love that God has for his people.