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Lesson 12

The Celebration of Holy Orders

Discernment of a vocation to the priesthood requires that a man develop his relationship with God through prayer, frequent reception of the Sacraments, the help of a vocations director, and typically six years of study including at a seminary.

Lesson Vocabulary

  • Diocesan Vocations Director
    :
    (n.): The person, typically an ordained priest, whose job at a diocese is to help young men discerning God’s call and guide them on their journey to the priesthood.
  • Seminary
    :
    (n.): A school in which candidates for the priesthood are trained.
  • Minor Seminary
    :
    (n.): A Catholic institute that enrolls typically high school-age boys for the purpose of helping them discern and prepare for a vocation to the priesthood. Also called high school seminaries. Some college seminaries are also referred to as minor seminaries and serve a similar function.
  • Major Seminary
    :
    (n.): A Catholic institute that provides formal preparation for the priesthood, typically in a six-year program emphasizing theology and philosophy.
  • Spiritual Director
    :
    (n.): A person, usually selected for their wisdom and counsel in matters requiring discernment, who offers help to others along their spiritual journey.
  • Seminarian
    :
    (n.): A man preparing for the priesthood in a seminary.
  • Priestly Formation
    :
    (n.): The program of study completed by men preparing for the priesthood, which encompasses four aspects: human (aimed at personal integrity), spiritual (aimed at union with Christ), intellectual (aimed at understanding the Faith), and pastoral (aimed at imitating Christ in shepherding souls).
  • Celibacy
    :
    (n.): The state of abstaining from marriage.
  • Diocesan Priest
    :
    (n.): A priest who has committed to service of a bishop within a diocese (as opposed to within a religious community).
  • Liturgy of the Hours
    :
    (n.): The public prayer of the Church which sanctifies the whole course of the day and night. It consists of a variety of prayers, Scripture readings, most especially the Psalms, and writings of the saints, divided into “hours,” which are prescribed to be prayed at specific times of day.
  • Laying on of Hands
    :
    (n.): An essential part of the rite of ordination, signifying the new priest is consecrated into the presbyteriat.
  • Stole
    :
    (n.): A liturgical vestment made of a several-inch-wide strip of material worn around the neck by priests and bishops and at the left shoulder across the chest by deacons.
  • Dalmatic
    :
    (n.): Liturgical outer garment worn by deacons at Mass and at solemn processions.
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