In the argument proving that divine ordination to a spiritual ministry occurs directly from God, the main emphasis is on the fact that it is God’s action that is present in the mystery—not merely a human decision or the transmission of transient symbols.

Divine Ordination: The Mystical Act of God

In the argument proving that divine ordination to a spiritual ministry occurs directly from God, the main emphasis is on the fact that it is God’s action that is present in the mystery—not merely a human decision or the transmission of transient symbols. The liturgical formula used during ordination contains the statement that it is "Divine grace... ordains," which means that the Lord is the active subject of the act of conferring priesthood. Thus, the moment of ordination is not merely a formal laying on of hands by bishops, but a mystery in which God directly incorporates a person into the spiritual order, filling him with invisible grace.

Additionally, it is held that a person in and of themselves cannot be the source of Divine grace, since "natural human nature has fallen because of sin," and the source of grace is only God. When a person sincerely turns to God, there occurs a union between the human spirit and the Spirit of God, which makes such ordination possible. This belief further confirms that every ordination to ministry is inevitably connected with God’s action and not merely an external ritual.

Thus, the combination of the liturgical proclamation—which clearly designates God as the giver of priesthood—with the theological understanding of the impossibility of a human being as the generator of grace, serves as evidence that divine ordination to the spiritual ministry truly takes place directly from God.

Supporting citation(s):
"This assertion is based on the fact that ordination to the episcopal ministry is connected not only with a human decision but also with the action of God. The liturgical formula for ordination itself reflects this approach by making God the subject of the verb 'to ordain' ('Divine grace... ordains'), and it requires that the Eucharistic assembly sings 'Kyrie eleison' at the moment of ordination." (source: link txt)

"No person, born of sinful parents and living a sinful life, can become holy on their own because human nature has fallen due to sin. A person cannot, in any way, be the generator of Divine grace. The source of grace is only God. And if a person aspires toward God—if their desire is sincere, deep, and genuine—then the Lord, recognizing this, responds, and the union of the human spirit with the Spirit of God takes place." (source: link txt)