Priesthood lasting forever

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Anthony_V

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I heard somewhere that priesthood lasts into eternity (not just while we’re on earth) since it makes an indelible mark on your spirit (like baptism and confirmation). Is this true? Or are all sacraments and their effects limited to our life on Earth?
 
The sacraments affect our soul, which is immortal. So our Baptism and Confirmation mark our souls forever, not just during our time on earth; and likewise Holy Orders marks a man’s soul forever.

Hebrews 5:5-6
In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”;
just as he says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
 
jpjd said:
The sacraments affect our soul, which is immortal. So our Baptism and Confirmation mark our souls forever, not just during our time on earth; and likewise Holy Orders marks a man’s soul forever.

Hebrews 5:5-6
In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”;
just as he says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
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So in Heaven, priests will still be priests? Do we know what that entails?
 
Anthony_V said:
So in Heaven, priests will still be priests? Do we know what that entails?
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Probably not. Something that frustrates me 🙂 Although I like an image of a priest in Heaven still offering up the sacrifice made on Calvary. I guess we’ll see.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Tony
 
I’m not sure what you mean. If you mean, are priests celebrating Mass in heaven, the answer is no. In heaven we don’t need Christ to be re-presented to us in the Eucharist because in heaven all souls are already seeing God “face to face”, enjoying the Beautific Vision.

I did find this interesting article about priests, which said this about priests and heaven:

“Heaven discloses in a vision the graces that a priest mediates on earth: the truth he preaches, the transformation he enables, the lives he changes. Heaven reveals what, behind signs, the sacraments conceal. Heaven rewards in the sweet hereafter those who, impelled by divine movements, love gracefully here below. Heaven promises a love that never ends. Heaven means seeing God “face to face” (see 1Cor 13:12). Only the Catholic priest readies us for this kind of heaven, this heaven which the loving vision of God creates. Why? Without the Catholic priest, no transformations divinize, no sacraments effect what they signify, no saving premotions reach their term, no human love survives the grave, and, as far as we know, no one sees God “face to face.” Small wonder Saint John Marie Vianney proclaims that only from the vantage point of heaven do the blessed discover what a priest is.”

Remember, a baptized soul is still baptized in heaven, a confirmed soul is still confirmed in heaven, and a soul that received Holy Orders is still so marked in heaven.
 
Wow this could make my head hurt. I would say the mark on the soul would be permanent but the job would not be. Therefore could this really be the true definition of retirement for a priest - Heaven.
 
jpjd said:
I’m not sure what you mean. If you mean, are priests celebrating Mass in heaven, the answer is no. In heaven we don’t need Christ to be re-presented to us in the Eucharist because in heaven all souls are already seeing God “face to face”, enjoying the Beautific Vision.

I did find this interesting article about priests, which said this about priests and heaven:

“Heaven discloses in a vision the graces that a priest mediates on earth: the truth he preaches, the transformation he enables, the lives he changes. Heaven reveals what, behind signs, the sacraments conceal. Heaven rewards in the sweet hereafter those who, impelled by divine movements, love gracefully here below. Heaven promises a love that never ends. Heaven means seeing God “face to face” (see 1Cor 13:12). Only the Catholic priest readies us for this kind of heaven, this heaven which the loving vision of God creates. Why? Without the Catholic priest, no transformations divinize, no sacraments effect what they signify, no saving premotions reach their term, no human love survives the grave, and, as far as we know, no one sees God “face to face.” Small wonder Saint John Marie Vianney proclaims that only from the vantage point of heaven do the blessed discover what a priest is.”

Remember, a baptized soul is still baptized in heaven, a confirmed soul is still confirmed in heaven, and a soul that received Holy Orders is still so marked in heaven.
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Do we know of any specific special job they do in Heaven? If jobs need to be done at all, that is 😃
I always thought of priesthood and marriage as a bow used to propel the arrow (us) towards the target (heaven) by the archer (God). When I heard that priesthood extends into infinity, I got confused. Why would the mark extend into infinity if there is no job to do? Is it a final recognition (since we will be 100% humble, we would be able to compliment each other on our deeds on Earth without becoming prideful)?

On the flip side, what about priests, confirmed, and baptized that don’t make it to Heaven? Does this lessen their suffering in Hell, seeing as how it is an indelible mark and cannot be removed by sin?
 
Interesting questions, but the only answer I can offer is for sure is that the only job of any soul in heaven is to worship and praise God!
 
The Orthodox have a very interesting idea which cuts all this confusion out. They teach that a priest is such only by virtue of the Church of God continually ordaining him. If he is fired, basically, his ‘soul’ reverts back to layman status. There is no indelible mark, to them, just a ministry that is instituted when and where it is needed. When the role ends, the man is simply a regular member of the laity. His ministry is only in, by, and for the benefit of the Church, and if he does something to merit being kicked out, he is no longer a priest, period. 😛
 
Anthony_V said:
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On the flip side, what about priests, confirmed, and baptized that don’t make it to Heaven? Does this lessen their suffering in Hell, seeing as how it is an indelible mark and cannot be removed by sin?
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I have heard that it increases his honor in Heaven and his shame in Hell. I don’t remember the source, but it seems reasonable.
 
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