The sacrament of Holy Orders establishes some among the Christian faithful as sacred ministers within and on behalf of the Church. Holy Orders consists of three grades: bishops, priests, and deacons.

Those who are ordained accept a public role in service to the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel of Christ by prayer, word and action. They take on works of ministry to teach, shepherd, and sanctify. They coordinate works of charity and service, gather the community of the faithful, and oversee the temporal needs of the Church’s institutions.
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If you are interested in exploring the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate, see the Vocations Office.