No Greater Love- The Priesthood Prepared by Theresa Simeo Lesson Overview Objectives for Deeper Understanding The teens will be able to explain the origins of the priesthood and how it is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. They will have a basic understanding of the rite of ordination to the priesthood, along with what it entails. They will also see the connection between Christ laying down His life for us, and the priest laying down his life for Christ and the Church. Objectives for Inviting Learners to a Change of Heart The teens will develop of sense of thankfulness for priests. In coming to a better understanding of the priesthood they will be moved by their example, and will be driven to pray for seminarians and priests. Lesson Details Subject area(s): Religion, Responding to the Call of Jesus Christ Grade Level: High School Resource Type: Discussion Guide, Video Special Learners This resource was developed with the following special learners in mind: Traditional Classroom Homeschooled Students CCD/Parish-Based Education
Lesson Plan I. Learning Objectives (the participant will ) Objectives for deeper understanding The teens will be able to explain the origins of the priesthood and how it is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. They will have a basic understanding of the rite of ordination to the priesthood, and what it entails. They will also see the connection between Christ laying down His life for us, and the priest laying down his life for Christ and the Church. Objectives for Inviting Learners to a change of heart The teens will develop of sense of thankfulness for Priests. In coming to a better understanding of the priesthood they will be moved by their example, and will be driven to pray for seminarians and priests. II. Materials/Resources Needed (textbooks, media/technology, supplies, handouts, etc.): Catechism and Bible for reference, sacred space supplies (cross, candles, fabric, poster for verse, etc ), writing supplies for the application step, projector and speakers for the PowerPoint and videos III. Catechetical Foundations: CHRISTOCENTRICITY: What does this topic have to do with Jesus and the love that never ends? This presentation focuses on how the priest participates in the priesthood of Christ, and how he is called to imitate Christ s sacrifice. The life of a priest is an incredible witness of the love of Christ because he is laying his life down for the sheep. (John 10:11) SCRIPTURAL DRIVING FORCE: Which foundational passages from Scripture will be used so the teaching relies on God s Word? John 15:13-( Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ) John 20:22-23 Exodus 28:41, 29:7-9-(The anointing, ordination, and consecration of Levitical priests of the Old Covenant) Luke 22:19- (Jesus gives the apostles the power to forgive sins and celebrate the Eucharist) Acts 13:2-3-(Ordination in the Early Church by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the laying on of hands)
PRIMARY CATECHISM SECTIONS: Which texts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church are central to understanding this topic? CCC 1536 (Holy Orders is the sacrament where the mission of the apostles continues in the Church today) CCC 1537-1538 (meaning of ordination ) CCC 1544 (The priesthood of the Old Covenant is fulfilled in Jesus Christ and his cross) OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES:What other creative resources will be helpful in this catechesis? (Textbook pages, websites, other books, maps, movie clips, music, art, stories, newspaper articles, etc.) Washington DC Archdiocese ordination video, Diocese of Pittsburgh ordination video, video on the necessity of priests, and a video celebrating priests (links below) Catholic Rites Today Book, article about Bl. Miguel Pro III. Procedure: Preparation (calculated disengagement/prayer) (7 minutes) Discuss the teens favorite superhero movies and why they like them/their favorite parts. Once everyone has gone I will share why my favorite superhero movie is The Dark Knight Rises. Basically I love the scene where Bruce Wayne climbs out of the pit while the other captives chant Rise. Rise. Rise. Rise. He makes it out and heads to Gotham City where he is willing to sacrifice everything for the city, even if it means laying down his life. We have REAL LIFE heros today who are willing to lay down their lives for us (in a very different way!): Catholic Priests who lay down their lives in imitation of Christ for us in service of the Church! Washington DC Ordination video (it is almost like a movie trailer, and emphasizes their sacrifice) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0dzvzrv6y0 Proclamation (short, poignant statement of heart/core truth of teaching) (2 min) Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13
Explanation (content and method of delivery) (35 min) POWERPOINT PRESENTATION A. The origins of Holy Orders/The Priesthood OLD TESTAMENT -Priesthood in the Old Covenant- the Tribe of Levi was set aside (Numbers 1:48-53) -They did not receive land, but the Lord himself was their inheritance (Joshua 13:33) -they were anointed, ordained, and consecrated (Exodus 28:41, 29:7-9) -They were able to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people and communicate with God NEW TESTAMENT -The priesthood of the Old Covenant is fulfilled in Jesus Christ -Jesus himself becomes our High Priest when he offers himself as our sacrifice upon the cross in order to restore our relationship with God (Heb. 10:12-14) -New Covenant= New Priesthood -When Jesus washed the feet of the twelve at the Last Supper it was a sign of their priestly ordination because in the Old Testament, washing was a part of the consecration rite for priests (John 13, Exodus 40:12,30-32) -Jesus gives his twelve apostles special power: to preach the Gospel (Acts 1:8), forgive sins (John 20:22-23), and celebrate the Eucharist (Luke 22:19) -CCC 1536- Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time, the sacrament of apostolic ministry -The apostles passed on this power to their successors through the power of the Holy Spirit in the laying on of hands (Acts 13:2-3) -Configures them to Christ, allows them to celebrate the Eucharist and the sacraments B. The Rite of Ordination to the Priesthood (use pictures from the most recent diocesan ordinations in the presentation) - CCC 1537-1538- ordo means established governing body and ordination means incorporation into an ordo. Holy Orders is a sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of priests
-They are set apart by Christ, and set apart for his Church, indelible mark on the soul, consecrated to preach the Gospel, shepherd the faithful, and celebrate divine worship Overview of the Rite -Essential rite: bishop s imposition of hands (seen in the Old Testament and the New Testament) and the prayer of consecration - Examination of candidate by the Bishop and promise of obedience, focus on this question: Are you resolved to consecrate your life to God for the salvation of His people, and to unite yourself more closely every day to Christ the High Priest, who offered Himself for us to the Father as a perfect sacrifice? Response: I am, with the help of God -Highlight the part where the candidates prostrate themselves on the ground as a sign that they are laying down their lives in imitation of Christ and dying to self. -The Holy Spirit empowers them to live imitation of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11) -Laying on of Hands: unpack the prayer of consecration and highlight the references to the Old Testament priesthood -The new priest is given the new garments of the priesthood (stole and chasuble) which is connected to the presentation of priestly garments in Exodus 29:7-9 -Anointing of the Hands (also connected to the Old Testament ritual) -The new priest is presented with a chalice and paten (explain) as the bishop says: Accept from the holy people of God the gifts to be offered to Him. Know what you are doing, and imitate the mystery you celebrate: model your life on the mystery of the Lord s cross -Kiss of peace/sign of peace Diocese of Pittsburgh Ordination Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdsknr13ld4 (recapping the rite) C. Examples of a Heroic Priest -Story of Blessed Miguel Pro: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=86 Emphasize: - How he renounced a bright future in business to become a priest
- His return to Mexico to serve the people despite persecution - How he risked his own life to bring the sacraments to the people - His death, and how he literally laid down his life for the Church in imitation of Christ Application (of doctrinal topic to personal life and to culture/real world) (15 min) Video on the necessity of priests: (especially how they allow us to have the Eucharist) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhkb_emrcvi Have the teens write letters to seminarians and priests from the parish and diocese. They will receive writing supplies and will be encouraged to thank them for laying down their lives for the Church and for bringing us the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Have the teens commit to pray for the priests and seminarians. Celebration (ending in a place of gratitude and praise): (5 min) Play a closing video that celebrates the gift of the Priesthood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goeaj8udcvc End by praying a prayer for priests together: A Prayer for Vocations through the intercession of St. John Vianney O God our Father, You promised I will appoint shepherds for My sheep who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble: an none shall be missing. (Jer. 23:4-5). Hear the prayers of Your flock. Through the intercession of Your beloved priest, Saint John Vianney, we beg You to call to the sacramental priesthood generous men who will desire nothing more than to serve You in imitation of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest. And after You call them, we pray that You sustain the doubtful, console the discouraged, and strengthen the weak as they start the long and demanding preparation for the priesthood. Mary, Mother of priests, and example of faithful, humble, and joyful acceptance of God s will, help all those who are called to the priesthood to open their ears and hearts to the gentle call of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.