"Jesus is the one who calls, not the priest, nor the bishop or the Pope. It is Jesus who gazes at him with love, who shows him the people, who shows him the needs of the people of God and says, ‘if you wish, come help.’ " - POPE FRANCIS
Catholic men who “take Holy Orders” receive a special sacrament called Holy Orders, which creates the hierarchy of deacon, priest, and bishop.
A priest is a Catholic man called by God to proclaim the “Good News” of salvation to the world and to lead God’s people in worship, especially in making present the saving sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross in the Eucharist. He is also privileged to bring Christ to people in the Sacraments: he gives the life of Christ to people in Baptism; he forgives their sins in Reconciliation; he anoints the sick; he officiates at weddings. In general, the priest brings Jesus Christ to people in their spiritual needs.
Permanent deacons share in the Sacrament of Orders with the Bishop and priests. While the word "bishop" means overseer, and priest means "to offer sacrifice," the word deacon means "to serve." In the time of the apostles, deacons helped with the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. Today, deacons act as ministers of the Word, preaching, and teaching in the name of the Church. As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services. To learn more about the Deaconate, call (416)934-3400, ext. 304
One word sums up the priesthood: Love.
Not the flawed love of human beings.
Priests are humans like the rest of us.
I’m talking about the Love that created space and time,
hung on a cross, rose from the dead,
promised that he’d never leave us,
and who reaches out to the world today,
through the hands of his priests.
Watch Fr. Dominic's call to priesthood and other vocation stories. Fr. Dominic is the last video in the series. Check it out. Fr. Dominic, thank you for your "Yes!"
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If you feel a nudge in your heart or have questions about the Priesthood or Consecrated Life, don't wait any longer, call Fr. Dominic at (905) 294-5955 or contact Fr. Matthew, our new Director of Vocations at 416-968-0997 or
vocations@archtoronto.org.
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