The Apostolate

Last time we saw how the Apostles ordained presbyters in every place where they planted the Church, and to these presbyters they gave some of their own powers and rights, and in particular the power and right to celebrate the Eucharist.  But there were two powers which belonged to the Apostles alone, the power to admit people to full membership of the Church by the Sacrament of Confirmation, and the power to ordain to the Ministry by the Sacrament of Holy Order.  Think what that means.  It means that, without the Apostles, there could have been no Church at all, no clergy and no people.  It was through the Apostles, and through them alone, that Our Lord brought the Church into existence in the various places.  And that meant that, unless they appointed others to take over from them, then it was only a matter of time before the Church itself died out and ceased to exist.