Holy Orders

Holy orders is the sacrament by which a man is ordained to be a deacon, priest, or bishop. It is a sacrament of service, on through which the individual receiving it grows in holiness through his service to others. Once ordained, deacons may help serve the faithful through assisting at mass and administering the sacraments of marriage and baptism. Priests may be ministers of these sacraments as well as of Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Anointing of the Sick. Only bishops may be ministers of the sacrament of Holy Orders/Ordination. The priest serves the Church in the person of Christ and is called to a life of holiness and humility that conforms them to Christ, whose priesthood he shares. Ordination is not a right or entitlement but is always a call and gift from God. God gives those he calls to ordination the grace and strength to serve him in this office.