Jesus chose twelve apostles and sent them out to continue His mission. Holy Orders is the sacrament through which that mission continues in the Church until the end of time.
Holy Orders has three degrees:
- Bishops receive the fullness of the sacrament. As successors of the apostles, they teach, sanctify and lead a diocese.
- Priests are co-workers of the bishop. They celebrate Mass, forgive sins, anoint the sick, preach and care for parishes.
- Deacons are ordained for service. They proclaim the Gospel, preach, baptize, witness marriages, lead funerals and serve the poor.
In ordination, the bishop lays his hands on the man's head and prays the prayer of consecration. Holy Orders leaves a permanent character.
When a priest celebrates the sacraments, he acts in persona Christi, in the person of Christ the Head of the Church. Only baptized men can receive Holy Orders, and in the Latin Church priests are usually celibate, a sign of their undivided love for God's kingdom.
God calls everyone to a vocation. Some are called to priesthood, others to religious life as sisters or brothers, to marriage, or to serve God as single people. Jesus asked us to pray for laborers for His harvest.