“This same power of the word also makes the priest venerable and
honorable, separated from the generality of men by the new blessing
bestowed upon him. Yesterday he was but one of the multitude, one of the
people; suddenly he is made a guide, a president, a teacher of piety, an
instructor in hidden mysteries.”
Catechism of the Council of Trent (1566)
Pt. II, Ch. VII: Regarding the internal priesthood, all the faithful are
said to be priests, once they have been washed
in the saving waters of
Baptism. Especially is this name given to the just who have the spirit of
God, and who, by the help of divine grace, have been made living members
of the great High-priest, Jesus Christ; for, enlightened by faith which is
inflamed by charity, they offer up spiritual sacrifices to God on the altar of
their hearts. Among such sacrifices must be reckoned every good and
virtuous action done for the glory of God…The external priesthood, on the
contrary, does not pertain to the faithful at large, but only to certain men
who have been ordained and consecrated to God by the lawful imposition
of hands and by the solemn ceremonies of holy Church, and who are
thereby devoted to a particular sacred ministry.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992)
No. 1545:
The redemptive sacrifice of Christ is unique, accomplished
once for all; yet it is made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the
Church. The same is true of the one priesthood of Christ; it is made present
through the ministerial priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of
Christ’s priesthood: “Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his
ministers.”
No. 1546:
Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the
Church “a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.” The whole community
of believers is, as such, priestly. The faithful exercise their baptismal
priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation,
in Christ’s mission as priest, prophet and king. Through the sacraments of
Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are “consecrated to be ... a holy
priesthood.”
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