The call to follow Christ as a Christian in this age, as in every age, highlights personal commitment. The concept of lifelong commitment is almost nonexistent in our culture. Yet it is precisely to a self-giving, permanent, nurturing and life-giving commitment that Christ calls us. Heroic is not too dramatic a word to use when we speak about the quality necessary to accept and to live a permanent commitment.

The sacrament of orders allows one to participate in Christ's mission in a unique way. It makes the recipient an authentic, authoritative and special representative of Christ, the head of the Church. Because one is called to minister in the person of Christ to the whole body, the Catechism of the Catholic Church identifies holy orders as a sacrament of service on behalf of the unity of the Church.

Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl
Archbishop of Washington

From his October 12, 2006 column, "Come, Follow Me!"