STUDIUM DUX ECCLESIASTICAE

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STUDIUM DUX

ECCLESIASTICAE

 

 

AN ACOLYTE’S GUIDE TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND

STUDYING FOR EXAMINATIONS

 

10th of Harren's Folly, 1957

 

 

AUTHORED BY

RHOSYN CARDINAL CASICA

Prelate of the Priesthood

 

 

I.) INTRODUCTION

 

Greetings, acolyte! If you are reading this, then you’ve probably either an interest in, or have already decided to, dedicate yourself to joining the priesthood of the Holy Mother Church.

 

The path which lays ahead of you is a blessed one. Being ordained to the Priesthood of Owyn to perform our holy sacraments is one of the greatest honors to be had within Canondom. As an ordained priest, you will one day become a guardian of the very soul of humanity in the same tradition as that of Evaristus and Clement. However, you will first have to prove that you possess a thorough understanding of the Holy Scrolls, Canon Law, and theology before you receive the sacrament of ordination. In recent years, this has been done through administering a rigorous test to gauge the knowledge of candidates for the priesthood and affirm their qualifications therein.

 

This can often be an overwhelming process to those who are unfamiliar with the Mother Church’s many institutions. Therefore, in order to better educate acolytes and the public at large about the Church and our faith as a whole, I have decided to publish this study guide for the purpose of providing a clearly defined path to entering the Church and studying for the priesthood examination that you will eventually have to take to join our ranks.

 

While this pamphlet is not meant to be a replacement for a thorough education beneath an experienced clergyman in any way, it is nonetheless a useful resource for any acolyte wishing to learn more about the essentials of our faith.

 

 

II.) THE HOLY SCROLLS

 

If you haven’t already had a chance to properly read them, the Holy Scrolls are an obvious first place to start. Any priest of the Church of the Canon must have a robust understanding not only of what the Holy Scrolls are, but of what each of the Exalted imparted unto humanity as well.

 

These scriptures make up the foundation of our faith and are critical to an acolyte's education. Furthermore, they should be thoroughly discussed with your mentor, as different rites hold differing beliefs. While you needn’t memorize these writings, it is important that you understand what is said within them so that you can minister to your parishioners to a high degree and cite examples from the scriptures to offer guidance to your respective flocks.

 

You should always have a copy of the Scrolls on hand to recite passages and refer to for guidance when ministering to your parish or engaging in missionary work. These are the most important pieces of literature to know, and the ones to which you will most often be referring to throughout your interactions with the laity.

 

 

 

III.) THE CATECHISM

 

The next most critical document to understanding the Faith is the Catechism, which explains the many doctrines and beliefs of a good Canonist. While it has primarily been designed to educate the laity, it is all the more critical that the average clergyman understand these core tenets of our faith.

 

Although the Catechism does not answer all questions about the faith, it does provide answers and guidance regarding its most basic and important tenets. It is a good place for any acolyte to begin their studies due to how it articulately explains the faith. The Catechism should also be kept close to hand by a priest to administer to laity throughout one’s parish or for use in the field as a missionary.

 

 

 

IV.) DOGMA AND PRINCIPLES OF THE CHURCH

 

Beyond the catechism, the Dogma and Principles of the Church can greatly enhance the clerical studies of any prospective acolyte. It is an especially important document that can help acolytes to understand the philosophical underpinnings of our faith. Some of the most important of these include defining the Holy Light of the Godhead and many of the other conceptual definitions that are referred to in theological discourse.

 

 

 

V.) CANON LAW

 

The Codex Iurius Canonici, or Canon Law, constitutes the ecclesiastical legal code of the Church of the Canon. This legal codex defines the responsibilities and duties of various members of the clergy including monastics, priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and even the High Pontiff. It is also the instrument by which the Curia is formally organized.

 

Additionally, Canon Law outlines our tenets of morality within the faith. It provides definitions for various sins and elaborates upon how the Church views various types of magic. As the previous documents provide a foundation for the faith’s theological underpinnings, so too does the Canon Law outline the legal underpinnings of our faith.

 

It is very important that prospective clergy have a sound understanding of Canon Law in conducting their spiritual duties, though they need not know it by memory.

 

 

 

VI.) BEHAVIOR & CONDUCT

 

A priest must always remember that he, or she, is often seen as the most recognizable and approachable representative of the Church within their parish. Even the actions of a traveling cleric may affect the Church’s reputation in either a negative or positive manner. As an ordained member of the priesthood, you must always remember that you are one of God’s ambassadors.

 

It is important to remember that a cleric has three penultimate duties, all of which must be balanced and fulfilled. Their first duty is to God and to the teachings that he has handed down in the form of the Scrolls. Their second is to the High Pontiff and to the ecclesiastical leaders of their local dioceses, the anointed representatives of our Lord and their immediate superiors. Finally, their third is to the spiritual well-being and safety of the flock that they minister to, which God and his representatives have tasked them with attending to and caring for as their shepherd.

 

While this is not a formal part of the examination for the priesthood, it is nonetheless critical that a priest be able to demonstrate both integrity and piety throughout their lives. Failure to demonstrate this integrity during your time as an acolyte, or as a priest thereafter, may be grounds for punishment or dismissal.

 

 

VII.) CONCLUSION

 

While this Study Guide is by no means a comprehensive manual on how to be a good priest, I nonetheless pray that it will serve to inspire and assist prospective acolytes of all rites and traditions within the Church in their studies.

 

Furthermore, it my hope that this “roadmap” of sorts will help those who are interested in a career with the Church and in serving God to get started in the profession. While the process of becoming a priest can certainly seem daunting at times, the Third Sky awaits those who spend a pious life in God’s service.

 

Should any questions be had about the examination or the process of ordainment, I would encourage readers to direct their questions to the Office of the Prelate of the Clergy for further guidance. Those who wish to take the test should also contact them at their leisure.