Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which the mission entrusted by Jesus Christ to his Apostles continues to be exercised in the Catholic Church through the laying on of hands. Within this one sacrament, there are the three sacramental orders of episcopate, priesthood, and deaconate. Bishops receive the fullness of the priesthood, are successors to the Apostles, and they alone have the sacramental power to ordain others. Priests are ordained with the power to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, give absolution to penitents, administer the sacraments, and preach and teach the word of God. Deacons are ordained to a ministry of service, and in communion with the bishop and priests they serve in the liturgy, in proclaiming the word of God and in works of charity.