SACRAMENT OF VOCATION
The word vocation comes
from the Latin word which
means to be called. All of
us are called by God to live
the life of love and service.
The Catholic Church
recognizes this calling in
two sacraments - The
Sacraments of Marriage
and Holy Orders.
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY/MARRIAGE
The Sacrament of Marriage
is a lasting commitment of a man
and a woman to a lifelong
partnership, established for the
good of each other and the
procreation of their children.
And, it is the loving union of one
man and one woman with the
purpose of the procreation and
upbringing of children. In the
Christian view marriage is a
sacrament, instituted by Christ.
Here are many beautiful and meaningful symbols for the
sacrament of marriage.
A single wedding ring. One ring symbolizes the fidelity of the marriage bond.
The ring is round without beginning or end to represent the never-ending
nature of marriage. The hollow center signifies that marriage is a channel of
love from one spouse to the other. The ring presses tightly upon the finger,
showing that each spouse is tightly bound to the other with a firm, intimate
and chaste love reserved solely for one’s spouse.
Two interlocking wedding rings. Interlocking rings are inseparable, they
cannot be pulled apart, and therefore represent the permanence and
indissolubility of the marriage covenant. Jesus said, “What God has joined
together, no human being must separate” (Mk 10:9).
Flowers. The flowers may be roses, carnations, or another type of flower, and
are usually red or white. They symbolize that there are three parties to a
marriage: two that are visible, the wife and the husband, and the unseen and
all-important third party, almighty God.
A three-ply rope. This symbol is based upon the Scripture verse, “A
three-ply cord is not easily broken” (Eccl 4:12a). The rope has three
strands, which are understood to symbolize God, the wife, and the
husband. The strands are tightly woven together and signify that a
couple tightly connected to each other and to God is far stronger than
a solitary individual.
The marriage cross. A cross or Chi-Rho is prominently displayed in the
center, with the lower part of the vertical beam between the
overlapping portion of two interlocking wedding rings. The rings
symbolize the wife and husband, and the cross or Chi-Rho represents
Jesus. The cross is higher, which symbolizes his authority. The beam
between the rings acknowledges that Jesus is the center of every
Christian marriage. The grace that he offers holds couples together.
Water jars. There were six stone water jars at the Cana
wedding feast (Jn 2:6), and the miracle of so much water
being changed into so much wine represents the abundant
outpouring of grace by Jesus on the couple on their wedding
day and every day for as long as they shall live.
The unity candle. There are three white candles on a stand or table: a large
pillar candle in the middle with two smaller taper candles on either side.
The smaller candles represent the bride and groom as individuals, and the
large candle, which is lit after their exchange of vows, symbolizes the two
united as one.
Two clasped hands. The hands of the bride and groom firmly grasping each
other signify the strength of their union as a couple and their commitment
to walking the journey of married life together.
Two hands covered with a stole. The stole is a symbol of a priest or a
deacon. When placed over the joined hands of the bride and groom, it
recognizes that their marriage is a sacrament.
Two doves. The doves represent bliss, the delight that the wife and
husband have in each other as well as the joy that they experience
together.
A heart. A heart represents love. Love is the greatest of the
virtues (1 Cor 13:13) and the distinguishing characteristic of a
Christian (Jn 13:35). St. Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives”
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the
sacrament by which
bishops, priests and deacons
are ordained and receive
the power and grace to
perform their sacred duties.
The sacred rite by which
orders are conferred is
called ordination.
The ministerial orders of the
Catholic Church include the orders
of bishops, deacons and
presbyters, which in Latin is
sacerdos. The ordained
priesthood and common
priesthood (or priesthood of all
the baptized) are different in
function and essence. A
distinction is made between
"priest" and "presbyter".
Why are Holy Orders called
orders?
Priests are co-workers of the
bishops, while deacons assist
priests. Ordered Ministries. Holy
Orders is “holy” because it has a
sacred character and is
“ordered” because it is structures,
tiered with increasing levels of
responsibility.
