with the science of the Sacred Volume should fit him to instruct the faithful in the mysteries of religion, and in the precepts of the Gospel, to reclaim from sin, and excite to piety and virtue. The due consecration and administration of the Sacraments, and the instruction of those who are committed to his care in the way of salvation, constitute two important duties of the pastor. "The lips of the priest," says Malachy, "shall keep know ledge, and they shall seek the law at his mouth; because he is the angel of the Lord of Hosts." [1] To a due consecration and administration of the Sacraments, a moderate share of know ledge suffices; but to instruct the faithful in all the truths and duties of religion, demands considerable ability, and extensive knowledge. In all priests, however, recondite learning is not demanded: it is sufficient that each possess competent know ledge to discharge the duties of his own particular office in the ministry.
The Sacrament of Orders is not to be conferred on very young, or on insane persons, because they do not enjoy the use of reason: if administered, however, it no doubt impresses a character. The age required for the reception of the different Orders may be easily known by consulting the decrees of the Council of Trent. Persons obligated to render certain stipulated services to others, and therefore not at their own disposal, are inadmissible to Orders; persons accustomed to shed blood, and homicides, are also excluded from the ecclesiastical state by an ecclesiastical law, and are irregular. The same law excludes those whose admission into the ministry may and must bring contempt on religion; and hence illegitimate children, and all who are born out of lawful wedlock, are disqualified for the sacred ministry. Finally, persons who are maimed, or who labour under any remarkable personal deformity, are also excluded; such defects offend the eye, and frequently incapacitate for the discharge of the duties of the ministry.
Having explained these matters, it remains that the pastor unfold the effects of this Sacrament. It is clear, as we have already said, that the Sacrament of Orders, although primarily instituted for the advantage and edification of the Church, imparts grace to hiwho receives it with the proper dispositions, which qualifies and enables him to discharge with fidelity the duties which it imposes, and amongst which is to be numbered the administration of the Sacraments. As baptism qualifies for their reception, so Orders qualify for their administration. Orders also confer another grace, which is a special power in reference to the Holy Eucharist; a power full and perfect in the priest, who alone can consecrate the body and blood of our Lord, but in the subordinate ministers, greater or less in proportion to their approximation to the sacred mysteries of the altar. This power is also denominated a spiritual character, which, by a certain interior mark impressed on the soul, distinguishes the
- ↑ Malach. ii. 7.
