One important understanding we should have, in offering or consecrating our lives, is that through our Baptism and our Confirmation, which each impressed a character or seal on our souls, we are all called to participate in the Priesthood of Christ, in different ways. Therefore, in union with Him, we should offer up spiritual sacrifices of all that we have, all that we are, and all that we do, especially during Holy Mass with the Priest. Thus, by consecrating ourselves, we offer a pleasing sacrifice to God, and participate in His Priesthood. At the foot of the Cross, St. John represents ministerial Priests. Our Lady represents the believing Faithful, and the royal Priesthood all Christians participate in through Baptism. The CCC teaches us, "Two participations in the One Priesthood of Christ "1546 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 1547 The Ministerial or Hierarchical Priesthood of Bishops and Priests, and the Common Priesthood of all the faithful participate, "each in its own proper way, in the One Priesthood of Christ." While being "ordered one to another," they differ essentially.22 In what sense? While the Common Priesthood of the Faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace --a life of faith, hope, and charity, a life according to the Spirit--, the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of the baptismal grace of all Christians. The ministerial priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church. For this reason it is transmitted by its own sacrament, the sacrament of Holy Orders." The Catechism of Trent had explained the same Scriptural distinction using slightly different terminology, namely External Priesthood and Internal Priesthood, "Twofold Priesthood But as Sacred Scripture describes a Twofold Priesthood, one internal and the other external, it will be necessary to have a distinct idea of each to enable pastors to explain the nature of the Priesthood now under discussion. The Internal Priesthood Regarding the internal Priesthood, all the faithful are said to be Priests, once they have been washed in the saving waters of Baptism. Especially is this name given to the just who have the Spirit of God, and who, by the help of divine grace, have been made living members of the great High-Priest, Jesus Christ; for, enlightened by faith which is inflamed by charity, they offer up spiritual sacrifices to God on the altar of their hearts. Among such sacrifices must be reckoned every good and virtuous action done for the glory of God. Hence we read in the Apocalypse: Christ hath washed us from our sins. in his own blood and hath made us a kingdom, and Priests to God and his Father. In like manner was it said by the Prince of the Apostles: Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy Priesthood offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ; while the Apostle exhorts us to present our bodies a living sacrifice holy , pleasing unto God your reasonable service. And long before this David had said: A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humble heart O God thou wilt not despise. All this clearly regards the Internal Priesthood." the Catechism then proceeds to describe the External Priesthood. Thus, the importance of "offering up" (together with the Sacrifice of Christ, and with all the Holy Masses offered up by Bishops and Priests in the world) all our actions for the glory of God, including good works and our daily Cross. What more can we learn and appreciate about this doctrine of the internal Priesthood conferred at Baptism, and how better can we apply it in our daily Christian life and our walk with God?
To show us the importance of "offering up" all our daily actions, good works, Holy Masses we assist at, Holy Communions, Rosaries, other prayers, sacrifices and suffering, together with His Body, His Blood, His Wounds, His Heart, Jesus has many times given promises like these. From the book, "Pilgrim's Guide to Paradise", published in Goa. All the Faithful are invited to offer everything up to God, for sinners, for the dying of the day etc, in union with the Blood of Christ. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, for e.g, we all say, "Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." In St. Gertrude's prayer, "Eternal Father, I offer you the Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Holy Masses said throughout the whole world, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home and within my family." The Angel Prayer at Fatima, "Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly, and to make reparation for all the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which You are offended, I offer You the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in all the Tabernacles of the world. By the Infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners". The Chaplet of the Holy Wounds, "Eternal Father, I offer you the Holy Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to heal the wounds of our souls". And so on in many other chaplets, prayers and offerings. The Lord's Promises: "1. Those who offer themselves up with Me in union with My Wounds and Most Precious Blood to the Heavenly Father in reparation for the sins of the world, I'll lead, guide and comfort them with My Grace, so that they won't need the comfort of men. 2. Those who daily offer up to the Heavenly Father their work, sacrifices and prayers in union with My Most Precious Blood and My Wounds in reparation can be certain that their prayers and sacrifices are written in My Heart, and that a great grace from the Heavenly Father awaits them. 3. Those who offer up their suffering, prayers and sacrifices with My Most Precious Blood and My Wounds for the conversion of sinners, their happiness in eternity will be doubled, and from there they'll be able to convert many by their prayers. 4. Those who offer My Most Precious Blood and My Wounds, with contrition for their sins known and unknown, before each Communion they receive, they can be certain they'll never make an unworthy Communion and that they'll raise their place in Heaven. (Note well: if one is aware he has a mortal sin, then sacramental confession is required before going for Holy Communion) 5. Those who after Confession, offer My suffering for all the sins of their whole lives and pray voluntarily as a penance the Rosary of the Holy Wounds, their souls are as pure and beautiful as just after Baptism and therefore, they may pray after each such Confession for the conversion of a great sinner. 6. Those who daily offer up for the dying of the day, My Most Precious Blood, while in the name of the dying, express sorrow for their sins and offer My Most Precious Blood for their sins, can be certain that they've opened Heaven's gates for many sinners, and that they may hope a beautiful death for themselves. 7. Those who honour My Most Precious Blood and My Holy Wounds with deep meditation and respect and offer them up several times daily for themselves and all sinners will experience on earth a sweet foretaste of Heaven and will feel a profound peace in their hearts. 8. Those who offer up to My Person as God alone for all humanity, My Most Precious Blood and My Wounds, especially from the Crowning with Thorns, as an apology and penance for the sins of the world, can cause reconciliation with God, obtain many graces and indulgences against severe punishments, and for themselves, obtain Infinite Mercy from Heaven. 9. Those who in serious illness offer up for themselves My Most Precious Blood and My Wounds, together with their illness, and pray to Me through My Most Precious Blood for help and health, they'll be heard at once, their pain eased, and an improvement will occur, and if they are incurable, they should persevere; they'll be helped. 10. Those who in their great spiritual need pray the Litany to the Most Precious Blood and offer it up for themselves and for all mankind, will obtain help, Heavenly consolation and a profound peace, and thereby be strengthened in their suffering or released from it. 11. Those who inspire others to honour My Most Precious Blood and to offer It up, and who honour It above all other treasures and goods, and who make often and with profound belief and trust adoration to My Most Precious Blood, they'll have a place of honour near My Throne, and will have from there great power to help others especially in converting them."
