1. Three main aspects to the Priesthood: offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, hearing confessions, and counselling.

[28]

Whilst continuing to hold the importance of these two aspects of Priesthood, today the Church has a significantly broader understanding. Priests are also responsible for daily recitation of the principal and minor offices of the Liturgy of the Hours.[29] Catholic priests are the only ministers of the Sacrament of Penance[30] and Anointing of the Sick.[31]Canon 901.1</ref> They are the ordinary ministers of Baptism and witnesses to Holy Matrimony.[32]

2. What characteristics must a man have to be a good

candidate for the priesthood?

Love Jesus Christ and desire others to love Him. Be a believing, practicing Catholic. Go to Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days. Live a life of virtue and striving against sin. Live and desire a life of service in my Church and community. Live and desire a life of prayer. Attend daily Mass or make visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Frequently make use of the Sacrament of Confession. Read the Bible and take time for personal prayer. Desire to be a priest. Be attracted to the priesthood, even though it involves personal sacrifice. Have one's call validated by other people who suggest that you should consider the priesthood. Live a life of virtue. Know what is right and wrong according to the teaching of Jesus and his Church. Have a basic human goodness. Be a relatively generous and unselfish person. Be a "people person", i.e., have good social skills and like to be around people. Have at least average intelligence to complete eight to ten years of college-level and masters-level coursework in Theology. Have a good sense of humor! Be physically, emotionally, and psychologically stable. Have a "priest's heart" full of kindness and compassion for others. Possess self-discipline. Be courteous, punctual, and composed. Display stability in life-style, i.e., consistency as a student or employee. Have a healthy psycho-sexual orientation. Be a gentleman, i.e., have good manners, correct grammar in communication, a neat appearance and proper hygiene. Able to accept failure. Be open to the will of God for his life.

3. "to preach the Gospel of God to all men," in keeping with the Lord's command.415They are "heralds of
faith, who draw new disciples to Christ; they are authentic teachers" of the apostolic faith "endowed with the authority of Christ."
416

4. The three major orders in the sacrament of Holy Orders include Bishop, Deacon and Priest.
5. The view of the Catholic Church remains that celibacy is more a reflection of life in Heaven, a source of detachment from

the material world which aids in one's relationship with God. Celibacy is designed to "consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord, they give themselves entirely to God and to men. It is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God."[1] Catholic priests are called to be espoused (married) to the Church itself, and espoused to God, without overwhelming, exclusive commitments interfering with the relationship.