Holy Orders

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1536, the Sacrament of 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.” There are three degrees of Holy Orders: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests), and diaconate (deacons). The essential rite of this sacrament is the bishop’s imposition of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the power of the Holy Spirit upon the candidates. Through the means of this ministerial priesthood, Christ continues to build up and lead his Church. (CCC #1547)