Sacred Ministers Flashcards
Lay faithful
The lay faithful are the people who are not part of the Clergy; they are not Sacred Ministers. They are your regular Church-goers. They have no faculty (except to Baptize in cases of emergency), authority, or spiritual power.
Altar server
The Altar Server is, traditionally, the only liturgical ministry that may be carried out by the laity. This is because the role of the altar server is usually carried out by an Acolyte, an ordained seminarian whos proper faculty is to serve the Mass. But due to the lack of sufficient amount of Acolytes in a single diocese, their role may be carried out by a lay person. For this reason, the role of the lay Altar Server should be carried out by a male, since in essence, they are replacing a male cleric. It is also a ministry meant for those discerning the clerical life, which can only be done by a baptized male.
Choir/Schola Sanctorum
a singing school especially for church choristers. specifically : the choir or choir school of a monastery or of a cathedral.
Lector (Lay)
The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel. He may also announce the intentions for the Universal Prayer and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Psalm between the readings.
Porter
The Porter is the first order of the Sacred Ministry.
They possess the faculty to shut and open the Church doors. It is also their duty to guard the Church, and ring the Church bells.
This office has now been abolished, and only exists in traditional seminaries.
Lector(Clergy)
The Lector is the second order of the Sacred Ministry.
They possess the faculty to read the Holy Scriptures inside the Church, sing the Psalms, and to teach the Catechism.
This office has now been abolished, and only exists in traditional seminaries.
The practice of this Sacred Ministry has been deputed to be done by laity since its abolition.
Exorcist
The Exorcist is the third order of the Sacred Ministry.
They possess the faculty to bless water, to perform minor exorcisms, and expel the devil.
This office has now been abolished, and only exists in traditional seminaries.
Acolyte
The Acolyte is the fourth order of the Sacred Ministry.
They possess the faculty to accompany the Priest to the Altar, serve the Mass, carry and light the candles, and to offer the priests the wine, water, and the bread.
The office of Acolyte may be carried out by lay, baptized males wherever it is necessary.
Subdeacon
The Subdeacon is first Major Order, and the fifth order of the Sacred Ministry.
They possess the faculty to serve the Deacon, to sing the Epistle, and to touch the Sacred Vessels.
This office has now been abolished, and only exists in traditional seminaries.
The practice of this Sacred Ministry has been deputed to be done by laity since its abolition.
Deacon
The Deacon is the second Major Order, and the sixth order of the Sacred Ministry.
They possess the faculty to sing the Gospel, to preach, to Baptize, and to distribute Holy Communion in extraordinary cases.
Priest
The Priest is the third Major order and the seventh order of the Sacred Ministry.
It is also the greatest order of the Sacred Ministry.
They possess the faculty to celebrate Holy Mass, to absolve sins in Confession, witness Marriages, and anoint the sick in Extreme Unction.
Bishop
The Bishop is a priest who has received the fullness of the Priesthood, and is the greatest of the Sacred Ministers.
They possess all faculty, authority, and power. They also have the ability to transmit and take away faculty and authority from their subordinate Sacred Ministers.
They have the power to celebrate all the Sacraments; something the simple priest cannot do.
Sacred Ministers
Major Orders
Bishop
Priest
Deacon
Subdeacon
- Minor Orders
Acolyte
Exorcist
Lector (Clergy)
Porter - Lay Faithful
Altar server
Lector (Lay)
Choir/Schola Sanctorum
Lay faithful
