Finally, in Jesus the name of the Holy God is revealed and given to us, in the flesh, as Savior, revealed by what he is, by his word, and by his sacrifice. 75 This is the heart of his Priestly Prayer: "Holy Father . . . for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be Consecrated in truth." 76 Because he "sanctifies" his own name, Jesus reveals to us the name of the Father. 77 At the end of Christ's Passover, the Father gives him the name that is above all names: "Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." 78

"Whilst not having the supreme degree of the pontifical office, and notwithstanding the fact that they depend on the bishops in the exercise of their own proper power, the Priests are for all that associated with them by reason of their sacerdotal dignity; and in virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, after the image of Christ, the supreme and eternal priest, they are Consecrated in order to preach the Gospel and shepherd the Faithful as well as to celebrate divine worship as true priests of the New Testament." 46

Christ, high Priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church "a Kingdom, priests for his God and Father." 20 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." 21

The chosen people was constituted by God as "a Kingdom of Priests and a holy nation." 6 But within the people of Israel, God chose one of the twelve tribes, that of Levi, and set it apart for Liturgical Service; God himself is its inheritance. 7 A Special rite Consecrated the beginnings of the Priesthood of the Old Covenant. the priests are "appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins." 8

Through these Sacraments those already Consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation 1 for the common Priesthood of all the Faithful can receive particular consecrations. Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ's name "to feed the Church by the word and grace of God." 2 On their part, "Christian spouses are fortified and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and dignity of their state by a Special sacrament." 3

Union with the passion of Christ. By the grace of this Sacrament the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion: in a certain way he is Consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus.

Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord. "The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers to the Sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving the Consecrated hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to the solemn veneration of the Faithful, and carrying them in procession." 206

The original minister of Confirmation is the bishop. 128 In the East, ordinarily the Priest who baptizes also immediately confers Confirmation in one and the same celebration. But he does so with sacred chrism Consecrated by the patriarch or the bishop, thus expressing the apostolic unity of the Church whose bonds are strengthened by the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Latin Church, the same discipline applies to the Baptism of adults or to the reception into full communion with the Church of a person baptized in another Christian community that does not have valid Confirmation. 129

In the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming with it a "double Sacrament," according to the expression of St. Cyprian. Among other reasons, the multiplication of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations. In the West the desire to reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused the temporal separation of the two sacraments. the East has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the Priest who baptizes. But he can do so only with the "myron" Consecrated by a bishop. 100

The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil Consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed Priest, prophet, and king. 41

All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate "for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven." 70 Called to consecrate Themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord," 71 they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy 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. 72

In marriages with disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task: "For the unbelieving husband is Consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband." 138 It is a great joy for the Christian spouse and for the Church if this "consecration" should lead to the free conversion of the other spouse to the Christian faith. 139 Sincere married love, the humble and patient practice of the family virtues, and perseverance in Prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept the grace of conversion.

In the promise to Abraham and the oath that accompanied it, 71 God commits himself but without disclosing his name. He begins to reveal it to Moses and makes it known clearly before the eyes of the whole people when he saves them from the Egyptians: "he has triumphed gloriously." 72 From the covenant of Sinai onwards, this people is "his own" and it is to be a "holy (or "Consecrated": the same word is used for both in Hebrew) nation," 73 because the name of God dwells in it.

Christian Tradition rightly calls this Prayer the "Priestly" prayer of Jesus. It is the prayer of our high priest, inseparable from his sacrifice, from his passing over (Passover) to the Father to whom he is wholly "Consecrated." 44

Many Religious have Consecrated their whole lives to Prayer. Hermits, monks, and nuns since the time of the desert Fathers have devoted their time to praising God and interceding for his people. the consecrated life cannot be sustained or spread without prayer; it is one of the living sources of contemplation and the spiritual life of the Church.

"People should cultivate [chastity] in the way that is suited to their state of life. Some profess virginity or Consecrated celibacy which enables them to give Themselves to God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. Others live in the way prescribed for all by the moral law, whether they are married or single." 135 Married people are called to live conjugal chastity; others practice chastity in continence:

Becoming a disciple of Jesus means accepting the invitation to belong to God's family, to live in conformity with His way of life: "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother." 40 Parents should welcome and respect with joy and thanksgiving the Lord's call to one of their children to follow him in virginity for the sake of the Kingdom in the Consecrated life or in Priestly ministry.

Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of Poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally Consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble Service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the Sacraments and other Liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places Consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin eSpecially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us. 52

"A vow is a deliberate and free promise made to God concerning a possible and better good which must be fulfilled by reason of the virtue of religion," 21 A vow is an act of devotion in which the Christian dedicates himself to God or promises him some good work. By fulfilling his vows he renders to God what has been promised and Consecrated to Him. the Acts of the Apostles shows us St. Paul concerned to fulfill the vows he had made. 22

"From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive; furthermore, in a Christian marriage the spouses are strengthened and, as it were, Consecrated for the duties and the dignity of their state by a Special Sacrament." 140

The Baptismal water is Consecrated by a Prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter Vigil). the Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born of water and the Spirit." 40

The Liturgy of the Hours is intended to become the Prayer of the whole People of God. In it Christ himself "continues his Priestly work through his Church." 50 His Members participate according to their own place in the Church and the circumstances of their lives: priests devoted to the pastoral ministry, because they are called to remain diligent in prayer and the Service of the word; Religious, by the charism of their Consecrated lives; all the Faithful as much as possible: "Pastors of souls should see to it that the principal hours, eSpecially Vespers, are celebrated in common in church on Sundays and on the more solemn feasts. the laity, too, are encouraged to recite the divine office, either with the priests, or among Themselves, or even individually." 51

"As with other forms of Consecrated life," the order of virgins establishes the woman living in the world (or the nun) in Prayer, penance, Service of her brethren, and apostolic activity, according to the state of life and spiritual gifts given to her. 464 Consecrated virgins can form Themselves into associations to observe their commitment more Faithfully. 465

"Virgins who, committed to the holy plan of following Christ more closely, are Consecrated to God by the diocesan bishop according to the approved Liturgical rite, are betrothed mystically to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the Service of the Church." 462 By this solemn rite (Consecratio virginum), the virgin is "constituted . . . a sacred person, a transcendent sign of the Church's love for Christ, and an eschatological image of this heavenly Bride of Christ and of the life to come." 463

Bishops will always strive to discern new gifts of Consecrated life granted to the Church by the Holy Spirit; the approval of new forms of consecrated life is reserved to the Apostolic See. 459

The Religious state is thus one way of experiencing a "more intimate" consecration, rooted in Baptism and dedicated totally to God. 455 In the Consecrated life, Christ's Faithful, moved by the Holy Spirit, propose to follow Christ more nearly, to give Themselves to God who is loved above all and, pursuing the perfection of charity in the Service of the Kingdom, to signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come. 456

Christ proposes the evangelical counsels, in their great variety, to every disciple. the perfection of charity, to which all the Faithful are called, entails for those who freely follow the call to Consecrated life the obligation of practicing chastity in celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom, Poverty and obedience. It is the profession of these counsels, within a permanent state of life recognized by the Church, that characterizes the life consecrated to God. 454

The very differences which the Lord has willed to put between the Members of his body serve its unity and mission. For "in the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in his name and by his power. But the laity are made to share in the Priestly, prophetical, and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole People of God." 387 Finally, "from both groups [hierarchy and laity] there exist Christian Faithful who are Consecrated to God in their own Special manner and serve the salvific mission of the Church through the profession of the evangelical counsels." 388

On entering the People of God through faith and Baptism, one receives a share in this people's unique, Priestly vocation: "Christ the Lord, high priest taken from among men, has made this new people 'a Kingdom of priests to God, his Father.' the baptized, by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are Consecrated to be a spiritual house and a holy Priesthood." 209

To the shepherds, the angel announced the birth of Jesus as the Messiah promised to Israel: "To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." 32 From the beginning he was "the one whom the Father Consecrated and sent into the world", conceived as "holy" in Mary's virginal womb. 33 God called Joseph to "take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit", so that Jesus, "who is called Christ", should be born of Joseph's spouse into the messianic lineage of David. 34

Religious life was born in the East during the first centuries of Christianity. Lived within institutes canonically erected by the Church, it is distinguished from other forms of Consecrated life by its Liturgical character, public profession of the evangelical counsels, fraternal life led in common, and witness given to the union of Christ with the Church. 466

"A secular institute is an institute of Consecrated life in which the Christian Faithful living in the world strive for the perfection of charity and work for the sanctification of the world eSpecially from within." 470

For the purpose of assisting the work of the common Priesthood of the Faithful, other particular ministries also exist, not Consecrated by the Sacrament of Holy Orders; their functions are determined by the bishops, in accord with Liturgical traditions and pastoral needs. "Servers, readers, commentators, and Members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function." 14

But "the Members do not all have the same function." 12 Certain members are called by God, in and through the Church, to a Special Service of the community. These servants are chosen and Consecrated by the Sacrament of Holy Orders, by which the Holy Spirit enables them to act in the person of Christ the head, for the service of all the members of the Church. 13 The ordained minister is, as it were, an "icon" of Christ the Priest. Since it is in the Eucharist that the sacrament of the Church is made fully visible, it is in his presiding at the Eucharist that the bishop's ministry is most evident, as well as, in communion with him, the ministry of priests and deacons.

The celebrating assembly is the community of the baptized who, "by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are Consecrated to be a spiritual house and a holy Priesthood, that . . . they may offer spiritual sacrifices." 9 This "common Priesthood" is that of Christ the sole priest, in which all his Members participate: 10

Whether their witness is public, as in the Religious state, or less public, or even secret, Christ's coming remains for all those Consecrated both the origin and rising sun of their life:

In the Church, which is like the Sacrament - the sign and instrument - of God's own life, the Consecrated life is seen as a Special sign of the mystery of redemption. To follow and imitate Christ more nearly and to manifest more clearly his self-emptying is to be more deeply present to one's contemporaries, in the heart of Christ. For those who are on this "narrower" path encourage their brethren by their example, and bear striking witness "that the world cannot be transfigured and offered to God without the spirit of the beatitudes." 475

Already dedicated to him through Baptism, the person who surrenders himself to the God he loves above all else thereby consecrates himself more intimately to God's Service and to the good of the Church. By this state of life Consecrated to God, the Church manifests Christ and shows us how the Holy Spirit acts so wonderfully in her. and so the first mission of those who profess the evangelical counsels is to live out their consecration. Moreover, "since Members of institutes of consecrated life dedicate Themselves through their consecration to the service of the Church they are obliged in a Special manner to engage in missionary work, in accord with the character of the institute." 474

Alongside the different forms of Consecrated life are "societies of apostolic life whose Members without Religious vows pursue the particular apostolic purpose of their society, and lead a life as brothers or sisters in common according to a particular manner of life, strive for the perfection of charity through the observance of the constitutions. Among these there are societies in which the members embrace the evangelical counsels" according to their constitutions. 473

By a "life perfectly and entirely Consecrated to [such] sanctification," the Members of these institutes share in the Church's task of evangelization, "in the world and from within the world," where their presence acts as "leaven in the world." 471 "Their witness of a Christian life" aims "to order temporal things according to God and inform the world with the power of the gospel." They commit Themselves to the evangelical counsels by sacred bonds and observe among themselves the communion and fellowship appropriate to their "particular secular way of life." 472

The word "Christ" comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah, which means "anointed". It became the name proper to Jesus only because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission that "Christ" signifies. In effect, in Israel those Consecrated to God for a mission that he gave were anointed in his name. This was the case for kings, for Priests and, in rare instances, for prophets. 29 This had to be the case all the more so for the Messiah whom God would send to inaugurate his Kingdom definitively. 30 It was necessary that the Messiah be anointed by the Spirit of the Lord at once as king and priest, and also as prophet. 31 Jesus fulfilled the messianic hope of Israel in his threefold office of priest, prophet and king.