The Sacrament of Holy Orders
Called to Serve the Church
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to the Apostles continues in the Church. Through Holy Orders, men are ordained for service to the Church and the People of God.
Holy Orders is one of the two Sacraments at the Service of Communion, together with the Sacrament of Matrimony. While the Sacraments of Christian Initiation establish us in the Christian life, Holy Orders gives particular men a mission to serve Christ and His Church through ordained ministry.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders has three degrees: the episcopate (bishops), the presbyterate (priests), and the diaconate (deacons).
The Three Degrees of Holy Orders
Bishops
The episcopate is the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Bishops are successors of the Apostles and receive responsibility for teaching, sanctifying, and shepherding the People of God. Each bishop serves in communion with the other bishops and with the Pope, who is the successor of Saint Peter.
Through episcopal ordination, a bishop receives the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders and is entrusted with the pastoral care of a particular Church.
Priests
Priests are co-workers with their bishops in the ministry of Christ.
Through ordination, priests are configured to Christ and receive the grace and responsibility to proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the Sacraments, and shepherd the people entrusted to their care.
Priests serve the Church particularly through the celebration of the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Anointing of the Sick, and the other sacramental and pastoral ministries of the Church.
The priesthood is a vocation of complete service to Christ and His people.
Deacons
Deacons are ordained ministers who serve the Church in a special way through the ministry of the Word, worship, pastoral ministry, and charity.
Deacons proclaim the Gospel, may preach, assist the bishop and priests at the celebration of the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages, preside at certain celebrations, and serve the Church through works of charity.
The diaconate is ordered particularly toward service. The permanent diaconate may be received by men who are called to this ministry while continuing to live their vocation in family and professional life.
The Call to Holy Orders
A vocation to Holy Orders is a call from God to serve Christ and His Church.
No one claims the right to receive Holy Orders simply because he desires it. A man who believes he may be called to ordained ministry is invited to prayerfully discern that call with the Church.
The Church has the responsibility to discern a candidate’s vocation, suitability, and readiness for ordained ministry. Formation prepares candidates spiritually, academically, personally, and pastorally for the responsibilities of their vocation.
Discerning a vocation does not mean that a person already knows exactly where God is calling him. Discernment is a process of prayer, formation, guidance, and listening for God’s will.
The Rite of Ordination
The essential sign of the Sacrament of Holy Orders is the laying on of hands by the bishop, followed by the solemn prayer of consecration.
Through this prayer, the Church asks God to pour out the Holy Spirit and the graces necessary for the ministry to which the man is being ordained.
Ordination leaves a permanent spiritual character. Because of this, the Sacrament of Holy Orders, like Baptism and Confirmation, is not repeated.
Holy Orders and Service
The purpose of ordained ministry is service.
Those who receive Holy Orders are called to serve Christ and His Church by proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating divine worship, caring for God’s people, and serving those in need.
The ordained ministry exists for the good of the entire Church. Through bishops, priests, and deacons, Christ continues to shepherd, teach, sanctify, and serve His people.
Discerning a Vocation
If you believe God may be calling you to the priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated religious life, the Church encourages you to take that call seriously and begin a process of discernment.
The Archdiocese of Hartford provides resources and personal guidance for those discerning a vocation.
Priesthood
Men who are discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood can contact the Archdiocese of Hartford Office of Seminarians and Vocations.
Office of Seminarians and Vocations
467 Bloomfield Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone: 860-761-7456
Email: vocations@aohct.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT PRIESTLY VOCATIONS
Permanent Diaconate
Men who are considering a vocation to the permanent diaconate can contact the Archdiocese of Hartford Office of the Diaconate.
Phone: 860-242-5573 ext. 7447
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PERMANENT DIACONATE
Consecrated Religious Life
Those who believe they may be called to consecrated religious life can seek guidance through the Archdiocese of Hartford Office for Religious.
Sister Barbara Mullen, CSJ
Office for Religious
Phone: 860-541-6491
The Archdiocese can also provide information about religious communities serving throughout the Archdiocese.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CONSECRATED RELIGIOUS LIFE
A Vocation of Service
Holy Orders is ultimately a vocation of service. Bishops, priests, and deacons are called to give themselves generously in service of Christ and His Church.
Through their ministry, they help the faithful encounter Christ, grow in holiness, receive the Sacraments, hear the Word of God, and live out their own Christian vocation.
The Church continues to pray that God will call men to serve His people through the ordained ministry and that those who hear His call will have the courage and generosity to respond.
Pray for Vocations
All members of the Church have a role in encouraging and praying for vocations.
We are called to pray for bishops, priests, and deacons, to encourage young people and adults who may be discerning a vocation, and to pray that those whom God calls will respond generously.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You called the Apostles to leave their nets and follow You.
Continue to call men to serve Your Church
as priests and deacons.
Give them courage to answer Your call
and give Your Church the grace
to support them in their vocation.
Amen.
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The teachings presented on this page are based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1536–1600.