The Sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred by the laying on of hands by a Bishop followed by calling upon the Holy Spirit in a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordained the graces of the Holy Spirit for ministry. Like Baptism and Confirmation, Holy Orders imprints an indelible sacramental character on the soul of the ordained.
Holy Orders in the Catholic Tradition includes three orders: bishop, priest and deacon. The word “holy” simply means set apart for some purpose. The word “order” (ordo in Latin) designates an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy and ordination means legal incorporation into an order. In other words, a Holy Order is a group within a hierarchical structure that is set apart for ministry in the Church.
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission of Christ that was entrusted to the apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.
If you are contemplating a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life, please contact our Pastor, Fr. Ken or Deacon Joe for guidance.