Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ’s priesthood, which He bestowed upon his Apostles; thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as “the sacrament of the apostolic ministry.”

The Sacrament of Holy Orders continues Christ’s mission through the Apostles and their successors. By virtue of Baptism, every disciple is called to share in Christ’s mission; through Holy Orders, bishops, priests, and deacons receive a particular ministry of service to the Church and the world.

“Ordination” comes from the Latin word ordinatio which means to incorporate one into an order. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a man is incorporated into the priesthood of Christ.

The priesthood was established by God among the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. God chose the tribe of Levi as priests for the nation. Their primary duties were the offering of sacrifice and prayer for the people.

Christ, in offering Himself up for the sins of all mankind, fulfilled the duties of the Old Testament priesthood once and for all. But just as the Eucharist makes that sacrifice present to us today, so the New Testament priesthood is a sharing in the eternal priesthood of Christ. While all believers are, in some sense, priests, some are set aside to serve the Church as Christ Himself did.

No bishop can minister to all of the faithful of his diocese, so priests act, in the words of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, as “co-workers of the bishops.” They exercise their powers lawfully only in communion with their bishop, and so they promise obedience to their bishop at the time of their ordination. The chief duties of the priesthood are the preaching of the Gospel and the offering of the Eucharist.

If you are interested in learning more about a possible vocation to the priesthood or diaconate, speak with Fr. Joseph Menkhaus at 440-734-1300 or contact the diocesan vocations office. The Church welcomes those discerning a call and helps them seek guidance and discernment.

and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)