By Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo
The call to repentance is a recurrent feature in the season of advent. From the invitation of the prophets in the Old Testament to the call of John the Baptist in the new testament, this distinctive feature is presented in a moving way. But it is not forced on anyone. As strong as the call may be for every age, everyone who hears the invitation is left to decide whether to heed or not. Hence, the matter of choice. It is believed that all those who hear the invitation to repentance and preparation for the coming of the Lord, are able to reflect on it and are further able to make their choice between the option of following their own preference and the option of accepting the call to follow the demands of the Lord, thereby taking practical steps to do his bidding. As usual of every choice, results will follow. Indeed, the result of choosing to heed the call to repentance, breeds peace, love and joy. These are the special themes for the season of advent which point to what the coming of the Lord will bring to all who follow him wholeheartedly.
The freedom of choice is a distinctive feature necessary to proceed for the sacrament of holy orders. The documents of the Church state specifically that, “a person must possess due freedom in order to be ordained. It is absolutely forbidden to force anyone in any way or for any reason to receive order or to deter anyone who is canonically suitable from receiving them.” In other words, the sacrament of holy orders is not forced on anyone. There might be situations in which someone, maybe a parent or a guardian wished that the child or a person with such affiliation decide to be a priest. Yet the one concerned does not want to even be trained for the priesthood. If ever such happens, the freedom of choice is tampered with. Hence, the sacrament if ever received under this circumstance cannot be valid. This is why at every step leading up to the reception of the sacrament, the candidate has to make his intention known by writing a formal letter of application, in black and white, with his own hand. This is in turn accepted and acknowledged. This freedom to choose the priesthood is further formed by careful preparation and instruction for a number of years to imbue the person with the necessary qualities for the priesthood.
