📖Overview

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to His Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time. It is the sacrament of apostolic ministry, comprising three degrees: the episcopate (bishops), the presbyterate (priests), and the diaconate (deacons). Through Holy Orders, candidates receive a sacred power for the service of the faithful. Bishops receive the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and are the successors of the Apostles. They are responsible for the teaching, sanctifying, and governing offices in the Church. Priests are co-workers of the bishops and are consecrated to preach the Gospel, shepherd the faithful, and celebrate divine worship, especially the Eucharist. Deacons are ordained for tasks of service, including assisting at the Eucharist, distributing Communion, proclaiming the Gospel, and performing works of charity. The sacrament is conferred by the laying on of hands followed by a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordinand the graces of the Holy Spirit. Holy Orders imprints an indelible sacramental character and cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily. In the Latin Church, Holy Orders is ordinarily conferred only on men who have been called, who freely commit themselves to celibacy, and who publicly manifest their intention to remain celibate for the sake of the Kingdom. Only a validly ordained bishop can confer the sacrament of Holy Orders.

💡Key Points