of a Deacon are more numerous and solemn than at that of a Sub-deacon: his person is also invested with the sacred stole: of his ordination as of that of the first Deacons who were ordained by the Apostles, [1] the imposition of hands also forms a part; and, finally, the book of the Gospels is handed to him by the bishop with these words: " RECEIVE POWER TO READ THE GOSPEL IN THE CHURCH OF GOD, AS WELL FOR THE LIVING AND FOR THE DEAD, IN THE NAME OF THE LORD." [2]
The third and highest degree of all Holy Orders is the Priest hood. Persons raised to the Priesthood the Holy Fathers distinguish by two names: they are called " Presbyters," which in Greek signifies elders, and which was given them, not only to express the mature years required by the Priesthood, but still more, the gravity of their manners, their knowledge and prudence: " Venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years; but the understanding of a man is grey hairs:" [3] they are also called " Priests," (Sacerdotes) because they are consecrated to God, and to them it belongs to administer the sacraments and to handle sacred things.
But as the Priesthood is described in the Sacred Scriptures as two-fold, internal and external, a line of distinction must be drawn between them, that the pastor may have it in his power to explain to the faithful the Priesthood which is here meant.
The internal Priesthood extends to all the faithful, who have been baptized, particularly to the just, who are anointed by the Spirit of God, and by the divine grace are made living members of the High-priest Christ Jesus. Through faith inflamed by charity, they offer spiritual sacrifices to God on the altar of their hearts, and in the number of these sacrifices are to be reckoned good and virtuous actions, referred to the glory of God. Hence we read in the Apocalypse: " Christ hath washed us from our sins in his own blood, and had made us a kingdom and priests to God and his Father." [4] The doctrine of St. Peter to the same effect we find recorded in these words: " Be you also as living stones, built up, a spiritual house, a holy priest hood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." [5] The Apostle also exhorts us, "to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, our reasonable service;" [6] and David had said long before: " A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit; a contrite and humble heart, O God! thou wilt not despise." [7] That all these authorities regard the internal Priesthood, it requires little discernment to discover.
The external Priesthood does not extend indiscriminately to
- ↑ Acts vi. 6.
- ↑ De Diaconis praeter eitatos supra vid. Clem. Rom. Constit. Apostol. lih. 2. c. 6 Cypr. de lapsis. Amb. lib. 1. offic. c. 41. Leo 1. serm. de S. Laurent. Clem. Rom. epist 1. ad Jacob. Fratrem Domini, Hier. epist. 48. et apud Baron. Annal. Eccl. an. 33. num. 41. an. 34. num. 283. an. 285 et 287. an. 34. num. 316. an. 44. num. 78 et 80. an. 57. num. 31 et num. 195. an. 58. num. 102, an. 112. num. 7. 8. 9. an. 316. num. 48. an. 324. num. 325. an 325. num. 152. an. 401. num. 44 et 47. an. 508. num. 15. an. 741. num. 12
- ↑ Wisd. 4. 8.
- ↑ Apoc. i. 5, 6
- ↑ 1 Pet. ii. 5.
- ↑ Rom. xii. 1.
- ↑ Ps. 1. 19.
