What is Holy Orders?

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a Sacrament of apostolic ministry, and by this Sacrament, men are ordained to serve the Church in the orders of the Diaconate, Presbyterate (priesthood), and the Episcopate (bishops).

While the Catholic Church only ordains celibate men to the priesthood, the Church also has a thriving Permanent Diaconate program, where married men serve as Deacons in their local parishes, assist at Mass, and baptize and celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Closely related to Holy Orders are religious orders where both men and women who are called to give their lives in service to the Church are formed, often taking vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience.

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which a man is made a bishop, a priest, or a deacon in the Person of Christ. A bishop administers the sacrament which confers certain powers of Christ, principally the power to consecrate bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, and the power to forgive sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

A diocesan priest is called to serve in a particular diocese. He serves mostly in parishes in obedience and collaboration with the Bishop of the diocese.

A religious priest is a member of a religious community. He is under the authority of his own superiors and may serve in a diocese through the works of his order or congregation and with permission of the local bishop. Some religious priests serve in parishes, while others may serve in education, retreat work, communications, and so on.

If you feel called to the sacrament of Holy Orders and would like to learn more, visit the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website at the button below.