Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which the mission Christ entrusted to his apostles continues in the Church until the end of time. By the imposition of the bishop's hands, it establishes men in the service of the people of God, to teach, to sanctify through the sacraments and to lead the community in the name of Christ.

The mission of the apostles continued

Christ chose the apostles, sent them as the Father had sent him, and gave them a share in his own mission. “As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” John 20:21 At the Last Supper, he entrusts to them the renewal of his sacrifice. “Do this in memory of me.” Luke 22:19 The apostles transmitted this ministry to others by the imposition of hands, and these in turn, in an unbroken chain down to our bishops: this is the apostolic succession. “Rekindle the gift of God that you received through the imposition of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6

The three degrees of Holy Orders

The sacrament of Holy Orders is received in three degrees. The bishop possesses the fullness of the priesthood: successor of the apostles, he teaches, sanctifies and governs his Church, and he alone can confer this sacrament on others. The priest is his collaborator: he celebrates the Eucharist, forgives sins and guides the faithful entrusted to him. The deacon is ordained for service: the service of charity toward the poor, that of the liturgy and the proclamation of the Word. This ministry of deacons was instituted from the earliest times of the Church. “They presented them to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.” Acts 6:6

Acting in the person of Christ

Holy Orders configures forever the one who receives it to the priesthood of Christ, priest for eternity, and that is why it is received only once. “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 7:17 By this sacrament, the ordained acts in the person of Christ. The Lord identifies himself with those he sends, to the point that their word and their gesture are his. “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me.” Luke 10:16 Saint Paul uses the very expression when he forgives in the name of the Lord. “What I have forgiven, I have done it for your sake, in the person of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:10 Thus, when the priest celebrates the Eucharist or forgives sins, it is Christ himself who acts through his hands; the minister lends his voice and his gestures to the Lord, the true author of what is accomplished.

Common priesthood and ministerial priesthood

By baptism, all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ: they offer their life to God, pray and bear witness. This is the common priesthood. By Holy Orders, some receive the ministerial priesthood, to serve this common priesthood by making Christ present to his people. The minister is thus wholly at the service of the faithful. “Every high priest, taken from among men, is appointed for men in their relations with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.” Hebrews 5:1