SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS

HOLY ORDERS

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

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CATECHISM ON THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS

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. This makes it the sacrament of apostolic ministry. Holy Orders includes three degrees:

1. Episcopate (Bishops)
2. Presbyterate (Priests)
3. Diaconate (Deacons)

(Catechism of the Catholic Church #1536)