Holy Orders
1536 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 AND DIACONATE.


Ordination means being incorporated into one of the ranks of Holy Orders.
Episcopate refers to bishops.
Presbyterate refers to priests.
Diaconate refers to deacons.


The Church recognizes the episcopacy and presbyterate as the two degrees of ministerial participation representing Christ and the diaconate as a ministry of service designed to assist the other two.  All three degrees are marked by ordination.

Who can Receive Holy Orders
1577  "ONLY A BAPTIZED MAN (VIR) VALIDLY RECEIVES SACRED ORDINATION."  THE LORD JESUS CHOSE MEN (VIRI) TO FORM THE COLLEGE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES, AND THE APOSTLES DID THE SAME WHEN THEY CHOSE COLLABORATORS TO SUCCEED THEM IN THEIR MINISTRY.  THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS, WITH WHOM THE PRIESTS ARE UNITED IN THE PRIESTHOOD, MAKES THE COLLEGE OF THE TWELVE AN EVER-PRESENT AND EVER-ACTIVE REALITY UNTIL CHRIST'S RETURN.  THE CHURCH RECOGNIZES HERSELF TO BE BOUND BY THIS CHOICE MADE BY THE LORD HIMSELF.  FOR THIS REASON THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN IS NOT POSSIBLE.

1579 ALL THE ORDAINED MINISTERS OF THE LATIN CHURCH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PERMANENT DEACONS, ARE NORMALLY CHOSEN FROM AMONG MEN OF FAITH WHO LIVE A CELIBATE LIFE AND WHO INTEND TO REMAIN CELIBATE " FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN."  CALLED TO CONSECRATE THEMSELVES WITH UNDIVIDED HEART TO THE LORD AND TO " THE AFFAIRS OF THE LORD," THEY GIVE THEMSELVES ENTIRELY TO GOD AND TO MEN.  CELIBACY IS A SIGN OF THIS NEW LIFE TO THE SERVICE OF WHICH THE CHURCH'S MINISTER IS CONSECRATED; ACCEPTED WITH A JOYOUS HEART CELIBACY RADIANTLY PROCLAIMS THE REIGN OF GOD.(excerpts taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; copyright © 1994, Concacan Inc., Canada)


For more information on vocations within the Diocese of Calgary please visit http://www.vocationoffice.com/

Rite of Holy Orders 2 Timothy 1:6
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 




The sacrament of Holy Orders has  three degrees.


First there are the Bishops
 Bishops receive the fullness of the sacrament.  They act in the name and person of Christ and is the Shepherd and Spouse of the Church.  The symbols are the mitre and the crozier, signifying his role as Shepherd, and the ring,  illustrating that he is the Spouse of the Church, and his chair showing his teaching authority in the Church.


Second are the Priests
Priests are anointed with the Spirit and act in the name and person of Christ.  The symbols are the paten and the chalice which illustrates their fulfillment  of their ministry especially at Eucharist.  Priests are responsible for preaching the Gospel, celebrating liturgy and  teaching and guiding the faithful.


Third are the Deacons
Deacons are ordained to the ministry of service.  He is involved as the ordinary minister at the Altar, along with works of charity and the breaking of the Word of God.  A deacon may be married or a bachelor.  Deacons are symbolized by the stole worn over the left shoulder.


1572  GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE THAT THE ORDINATION OF A BISHOP, A PRIEST OR A DEACON HAS FOR THE LIFE OF THE PARTICULAR CHURCH, ITS CELEBRATION CALLS FOR AS MANY OF THE FAITHFUL AS POSSIBLE TO TAKE PART.  IT SHOULD TAKE PLACE PREFERABLY ON SUNDAY, IN THE CATHEDRAL, WITH SOLEMNITY APPROPRIATE TO THE OCCASION.  ALL THREE ORDINATIONS, OF THE BISHOP, OF THE PRIEST, AND OF THE DEACON, FOLLOW THE SAME MOVEMENT.  THEIR PROPER PLACE IS WITHIN THE EUCHARIST LITURGY.(excerpts taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; copyright © 1994 Concacan Inc., Canada)
The essential rite of ordination is the laying of hands  and the consecratory prayerperformed by a Bishop.

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