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: thus it is the Sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate [priesthood], and diaconate.” From the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1536

Back CameraHoly Orders is one Sacrament in three degrees: the episcopate (bishop), the presbyterate (priest), and the diaconate (deacon). These Orders are a participation in the apostolic offices of teaching, sanctifying, and governing given by the Lord Jesus to the Twelve. Bishops are the successors to the Apostles, and a bishop is the chief shepherd of his diocese. Priests are special co-workers with the bishops, ordained and appointed by their bishops to especially administer the holy Sacraments to the faithful. Deacons are ordained for service, proclamation of the Word, and for charity.

priestly-ordination_2008_01At ordination, the soul of a priest is forever changed, and he is then enabled to act in the person of Christ the Head. The Church chooses her priests from those also called by God to a life of celibacy – perpetual chastity – for the sake of the Kingdom and total devotion to the Bride of Christ, the Church. As a married man is called to devote himself completely to his wife and family, so the priest is called through the gift of celibacy to devote his entire self to the Church and his family born of Baptism, the parish to which he is assigned. If you are a man who is feeling called to serve Christ as a priest, contact one of our priests here at the Cathedral; or you may contact Fr. Mathew Gray at the Vocations office of the Diocese of Charleston.

Visit the Vocations Website

serving-web

ForYourVocation-web-banner-728x90