Holy Orders
Holy Orders through St. Thomas
If you feel called to the religious life, please contact Fr. Oakland or the Archdiocese of Seattle for further discernment.
The Sign
The laying on of the bishop's hands.
Institution by Christ
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.
Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint prespyters in every town, as I directed you...
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