Fragmenda

Scripture

Philemon 1

Book Introduction

Philemon, a noble citizen of Colossa, had a servant named Onesimus, who robbed him and fled to Rome, where he met St. Paul, who was then a prisoner there the first time. The apostle took compassion on him and received him with tenderness and converted him to the faith; for he was a Gentile before. St. Paul sends him back to his master with this Epistle in his favour: and though he beseeches Philemon to pardon him, yet the Apostle writes with becoming dignity and authority. It contains divers profitable instructions and points out the charity and humanity that masters should have for their servants.

Philemon 1

He commends the faith and charity of Philemon; and sends back to him his fugitive servant, whom he had converted in prison.

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer,
2 

And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house.

3 

Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 

I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.

5 

Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints:

6 

That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work that is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 

For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

8 

Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command thee that which is to the purpose:

9 

For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.

10 

I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,

11 

Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee but now is profitable both to me and thee:

12 

Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.

13 

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel.

14 

But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

15 

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

16 

Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

17 

If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.

18 

And if he hath wronged thee in any thing or is in thy debt, put that to my account.

19 

I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee that thou owest me thy own self also.

20 

Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord! Refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21 

Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

22 

But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

23 

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus:

24 

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow labourers.

25 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Catechism

Catechism of St Pius X, The Sacraments, Lesson 8, Questions 1-8

1 Q. What is the sacrament of Holy Orders?

A. Holy Orders is a sacrament which gives power to exercise the sacred duties connected with the worship of God and the salvation of souls, and which imprints the character of Minister of God on the soul of him who receives it.

2 Q. Why is it called Orders?

A. It is called Orders because it comprises various grades, the one subordinate to the other, from which the sacred Hierarchy is composed.

3 Q. Which are these grades?

A. The highest is the Episcopate, which contains the fullness of the Priesthood; then comes the Priesthood; then the Diaconate, the Sub-diaconate, and the Orders called Minor.

4 Q. When did Jesus Christ institute the Sacerdotal Order?

A. Jesus Christ instituted the Sacerdotal Order at the Last Supper when he conferred on the Apostles and their successors the power of consecrating the Blessed Eucharist. Then on the day of His resurrection He conferred on them the power of remitting and retaining sin, thus constituting them the first Priests of the New Law in all the fullness of their power.

5 Q. Who is the Minister of this sacrament?

A. The bishop is the Minister of this sacrament.

6 Q. Is the dignity of the Christian Priesthood a great dignity?

A. The dignity of the Christian Priesthood is great indeed, because of the two-fold power which Jesus Christ has conferred upon it — that over His real body and that over His mystical body, or the Church; and because of the divine mission committed to priests to lead men to eternal life.

7 Q. Is the Catholic Priesthood necessary in the Church?

A. The Catholic Priesthood is necessary in the Church, because without it the faithful would be deprived of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and of the greater part of the sacraments; they would have no one to instruct them in the faith; and they would be as sheep without a shepherd, a prey to wolves; in short, the Church, such as Christ instituted it, would no longer exist.

8 Q. Will the Catholic Priesthood therefore never cease on this earth?

A. In spite of the war that hell wages against it, the Catholic Priesthood will last until the end of time, because Jesus Christ has promised that the powers of hell shall never prevail against His Church.