Page:The Eternal Priesthood (4th ed).djvu/24



sums up the powers of a priest in these two; namely, the consecration of the Sacrament of the Altar, and the absolution of sin, or, as we say in theological terms, in the jurisdiction over the natural and over the mystical Body of Christ. The word jurisdiction has here a special significance. It means usually the authority by which a priest rules the flock committed to him with the judicial power of binding and loosing the bond of sin. How, then, can there be jurisdiction over the Blessed Sacrament? Jurisdiction signifies the whole sacerdotal authority given in ordination, but its exercise is suspended until the priest shall have received license to use the powers of his priesthood. This jurisdiction comes to him from his Bishop, and to his Bishop from the Vicar of Jesus Christ, in whom alone resides the plenitude of jurisdiction over the universal Church. The first and highest act of that