The Role of Jesus Christ in Catholic Prayer

The Mass and Priestly Ministry

• The Mass represents the apex of the Church's prayer and work, and is the central function of a priest's day.
• In the Mass, the faithful encounter the saving presence of Jesus Christ in word and sacrament.

Jesus Christ, the One Mediator/Priest

• The New Testament proclaims Jesus as the unique Mediator of the New Covenant between God and humankind.
• Jesus is a God-made man, Emmanuel, God among us.
• He is uniquely "priest" not only by reason of his very being but also by his actions.

Christ Shares His Priesthood

• Christ's priesthood did not stop with himself, but he called and appointed the Twelve with a specific and authoritative mandate.
• Priesthood is rendered present today in the Church in a twofold manner: in the common priesthood of all baptized, and in the ministerial priesthood of the ordained.

Royal Priesthood of the Faithful

• Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, all the faithful are empowered to exercise their priesthood through sharing in the mission of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King.
• As prophets, they give living witness of Christ to the world through explicit profession of faith in word and deed.
• As priests, they offer worship to God in the Eucharist, by receiving the sacraments and by offering prayers and thanksgiving.
• As sharing in Christ's kingship, they continue Christ's ministry of reconciliation, leading others to follow his call to become peacemakers.

Ministerial Priesthood of the Ordained

• The Lord also appointed certain ministers among the faithful to join them together in the one body.
• These men were to hold in the community of the faithful the sacred power of Order, that of offering sacrifice and forgiving sins.
• Ministerial priesthood are those people who have received the Sacrament of Orders.

In the Person of Christ, Head

• Priests are ordained to be sacraments of Christ, configured to Christ in such a way that they are able to act in the person of Christ the Head.
• Priests are called to prolong the presence of Christ, the One High Priest, embodying his way of life and making him visible in the midst of the flock entrusted to their care.

The Three Degrees of the Sacrament of Orders

• Bishops have, as Vicar of Christ, the pastoral responsibility for a particular diocese entrusted to them, and collegially with all their brothers in the episcopate, care for all the Churches.
• Priests have three main functions: to preach the Gospel, shepherd the faithful, and celebrate divine worship as true priests of the New Testament.
• Deacons serve the People of God in the service of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and of works of charity, and can be called upon to perform various duties such as administering baptism, and assisting and blessing marriages in the name of the Church.

Holy Orders

• Holy Orders is the sacrament of apostolic ministry, through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church to the end of time.
• Ordination is the sacramental act by which one is integrated into the orders of bishops, of priests, and of deacons, conferring a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Priesthood in Salvation History

• Already in the Old Testament, God called all the Israelites to be "a kingdom of priests, a holy nation", and consecrated one of the Twelve Tribes, Aaron and his descendants, the tribe of Levi, for priestly ministry.
• A priest is someone appointed to act on behalf of the people as their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
• The priest is a disciple, called to "follow Jesus" in total commitment, and is an apostle sent to serve in the mission of Jesus and of the Church.