25. The sacraments of vocation

25. THE SACRAMENTS OF VOCATION
THROUGH HOLY ORDERS AND MATRIMONY, CHRISTIANS ARE GIVEN SPECIAL GRACES AND A PARTICULAR MISSION
Compendium 321-353 Hebrews 7:26-28 Matthew 19: 4-6
1. Melchizedek foreshadowed the kingly priesthood of Christ, who offered himself on the cross to reconcile men to God.
2. This gift of obedient and selfless love is the heart of the sacramental priesthood that Christ shares with our  priests.
3. Priests are empowered to act in the very name of Christ.
4. Their priesthood is indelible.
5. The celibacy of the priesthood for the sake of the Kingdom is a beacon for fidelity to those called to holiness in marriage.
6. These distinct vocations strengthen each other and share the same mission of the Church.
7. Deacons preparing for the priesthood are "transitional" and there are also "permanent" deacons who assist in the liturgy and sacramental life and especially caring for the needy.
8. Only the Bishop can confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
9. Bishops are successors of the Apostles and continue the ministry of the Apostles to teach,sanctify and spiritually rule the faithful.
10. They are called together with their priests and deacons to set hearts on fire with love for Christ and his church.
11. Marriage is a covenant of faithful, permanent and fruitful love. Created in the divine image, man and woman are complementary.
12. Unity-in-difference is at the heart of marriage.
13. Man and woman are made for each other and for procreation and education of children.
14. Spouses, united to Christ, are called to form a family which is a community of Faith, Prayer and Virtue.
15. Divorce, contraception and same sex marriage are the archenemies of this indelible covenant  designed by God to be permanent, faithful and fruitful.
16. A valid marriage requires the free and conscious consent of the man and women.
17. Marriage with a non Catholic requires an agreement that the children will be raised Catholic.
18. In the Jewish tradition of Passover every head of household had the vocation of priesthood and lead the celebration of the paschal meal. This tradition is still alive today in the Jewish community. It was only after the tragedy of the golden calf that Moses restricted the priesthood to the Levites. Just as the family is the indispensable foundation of an ordered and functional society, so it is for the Church. If men fail in the spiritual leadership of their families both society and the Church cannot function well.