X

Sacred Heart Church - The Heart and Hands of the Community

Holy Orders / Religious Life

"So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." (1 Pt 5:1-4)

What's My Vocation?

Holy Orders

To act and to stand in the person of Christ (in persona Christi) – is both awesome and daunting! Several years of discernment and formation are required to truly answer this call and live the life of a priest. And yet, God equips those he calls…once a priest, a priest forever! Another indelible mark is sealed upon a man's soul, his hands are consecrated, his mission passed on by the laying on of hands…no ordinary man is he now, as he too, offers himself for the service of his flock, a father to his spiritual children, a guide and companion to all of us on the journey. Another ordained position is that of a deacon, a ministry of service for the good of the Church, assisting the priest at the altar, and in the sacraments of matrimony and baptism.

From the moment of Jesus' conception in the womb of Mary until his Resurrection, he was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In biblical language, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit and thus established by God the Father as our high priest. As Risen Lord, he remains our high priest. . . . While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way. 

"Here I am, send me." (Is 6:8)

Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest.  Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8).  This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.

Under the direction and guidance of the Archbishop of Newark, the Office of Priestly Vocations serves the Archdiocese by striving to foster a culture of vocations. In collaboration with Parishes, Schools, and the offices of Campus Ministry and Youth and Young Adult Ministry, the Office of Priestly Vocations:
 
  • Encourages the People of God to pray for their priests, seminarians and to “beg the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into His vineyard…” (Matthew 9)
  • Seeks to reach out to men within the Archdiocese in order to challenge and inspire them to discover the unique call to holiness that the Lord is calling them to
  • Accompanies men who are discerning their vocation through various programs and events aimed at answering the many questions that arise when one considers a call to the Priesthood
 
If you or someone you know is considering God’s call to the priesthood, please see our website .  Newark Priest   for event dates and information on discernment, seminary, and priestly life.