Ordination and Ontological Change

[runnerryan]

I am a seminarian wondering if anyone can point me to any resources that would give me a deeper understanding of the ontological change that occurs in the sacrament of Holy Orders. I’m interested in anything that specifically addresses the thought and tradition behind this teaching. The more specific and narrowly focused the better. I’m not asking for basic materials on the identity and mission of a priest, I’m looking for information that is specific as possible. Tonight in a session with all of us in 2nd Theology here at Mundelein Seminary a priest mentioned the teaching on the ontological change that results from ordination. He referred to some writings of Pope John Paul II that discussed ontological change, but I’m interesting in getting my hands not only on these writings but on any other information that is out there.
Thank you,
Ryan Larson
Diocese of Joliet seminarian

 

[JimG]

You might want to take a look at these two articles, one from The Priest and one from the Vatican

 

[runnerryan]

Thank you.
I printed out both of the articles, I’m looking forward to reading them.
Ryan

 

[stbruno]

The Roman Catholic Church and the other ancient Christian Churches see priestly ordination as a sacrament effecting an ontological change, not as the deputizing of someone to perform a function or as the admission of someone to a profession such as that of medicine or law. They also consider that priestly ordination can be conferred only on males. In the face of continued questioning, Pope John Paul II felt obliged to confirm the existing teaching that the Church is not empowered to change this practice: ?In order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church’s divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Luke 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.?[8] (vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_22051994_ordinatio-sacerdotalis_en.html) The Roman Catholic Church thus holds this teaching as irrevocable and as having the character of infallibility, not in virtue of the apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis itself, from which this quotation is taken, but because the teaching ?has been preserved by the constant and universal Tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the Magisterium .
Hope this helps, Ryan. We are in your diocese and recently attended one of the many banquets supporting the seminary. Say hello to Charles Musala he was in our parish this summer interning.