What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?

As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 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: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry." (CCC, 1536). Put simply, the sacrament of Holy Orders means being called to serve as deacon, priest, or bishop, to continue the ministry Jesus entrusted to the Apostles.

The word order, was used in Roman times, to distinguish various civil groups, especially as applied to government. Hence, the "orders" that deacons, priests, and bishops belong to, are full time ministries set apart to serve the Church in a specific way. Holy, comes from a root word that means whole. Literally, holiness is living such a balanced life that the goodness that is God becomes clear to all.

The ministry of deacons is created and mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. In the Acts, the ministry began as service to widows, who often times had no other means of care. So, in the same tradition, it has continued as a ministry of service, or "waiting on table", which has its special focus ministering to the needs of the poor and outcast. Deacons are also able to baptize, proclaim the gospel, assist at weddings and preach.

The ministry of priests has its roots in the Old Testament, being foreshadowed in the sacrifice of Melchizedek in the book of Genesis, and in the ministry of Moses, as one chosen to appeal on behalf of the people before God. In the New Testament, it is obviously the example of Christ the High Priest who establishes priesthood, and calls priests to serve in the person of Christ.

The priest, acting in the person of Christ, celebrates the sacraments. Priests baptize, celebrate Mass, where Jesus truly becomes present in the Eucharist, assist at weddings, anoint the sick, and proclaim the gospel.

The bishop, represents the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. The bishop is the leader of the diocese (a geographical "local church", like a state in the United States, and works with the priests of the diocese to provide spiritual and temporal leadership. The bishop celebrates all of the sacraments, including confirmation and ordination. The visible leader of the diocese, the bishop also represents the unity of faith, acting as its chief teacher.