Sacrament of Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the means through which the mission entrusted by Christ to His apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time. It is a sacrament of apostolic ministry and includes three degrees:
- Episcopate (Bishop)
- Presbyterate (Priest)
- Diaconate (Deacon)
All Christians share in the one priesthood of Christ, making the entire community of believers a priestly people.
Through Baptism and Confirmation, the faithful are consecrated as a holy priesthood.
Those who, after Baptism, receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders enter the ministerial (or hierarchical) priesthood. This ministerial priesthood exists to serve the common priesthood of all the baptized. Its purpose is to build up the Church and to help unfold the grace received in Baptism for every Christian. In this way, Christ continues to guide, nourish, and lead His Church through ordained ministers.