HOLY ORDERS 199 



exercises, — a spiritual retreat, receiving the Sac- 

 raments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, etc. 4 

 Moral and mental fitness, as well as an ardent love 

 for the ecclesiastical state constitute what may 

 be styled internal vocation. 



It goes without saying that the canonical con- 

 ditions prescribed for the reception of major Or- 

 ders must be conscientiously complied with. 5 



2. Duties of the Faithful with Regard to 

 this Sacrament. — Every Catholic is personally 

 interested in a worthy and competent priesthood, 

 and hence all are in duty bound to cooperate with 

 the Church in providing this necessary instru- 

 ment for the salvation of souls. The laity can do 

 this, first, by following Christ's advice to ask 

 God to send competent laborers into His vine- 

 yard. 6 Prayers to this effect should be said 

 especially on ember days. Second, by contribu- 

 ting to the erection and support of seminaries, 

 by aiding poor students, by inducing their sons 

 to enter the service of the Church, or at least not 

 preventing them from entering that service when 

 they show signs of a true vocation. Third, by 

 upholding the dignity of the priesthood, respect- 

 ing their pastors, 7 protecting them against insult, 

 providing for their wants, — in fine, by honoring 



4 St. Thomas, Summa Theol., 3a, 6 Matt. IX, 36-38. 



Suppl., qu. 36, art. 1-2. — Cat. Rom., T Ecclus. VII, 31 sqq.; Gal. IV, 14 



P. II, c. 7, qu. 26 sq. sqq.; 1 Thess. V, 12-13; 1 Tim. V, 



e Jos. Laurentius, S.J., Inst, Iuris 17. — S. Greg. VII. Registr., 1. VIII, 

 Eccles., 2nd ed., pp. 47 sqq. 



