The sacrament of Holy Orders is divided into three orders:

1. The Order of Diaconate - This order has two sub-orders: 1) Transitional Deacons and 2) Permanent Deacons
   - Transitional deacons are men who are in the last stage before they are ordained priests. Transitional deacons are intended to be elevated to the order of priests and not remain deacons.
   - Permanent deacons are generally older men who have been called to serve the church in formal way. These men are married before they are ordained and will remain deacons for the foreseeable future. Only after the death of their spouse could they possibly be elevated to the order of priests. Permanent deacons do not take the promise of celibacy initially, but will remain celibate if their spouse dies.
   - Deacons make the promises of celibacy (see previous paragraph), prayer and obedience to the bishop.
   - They are helpers of the priests and bishops.
   - By virtue of their ordination they are allowed to perform marriages, bury the dead, baptize children, preach/give homilies, and bless people or things that is proper to their order.
   
   
2. Order of the Presbyterate (Priests)
   - After having been ordained and function as a deacon for the required amount of time, deacons, in particular transitional deacons, are ordained priests.
   - They retake the promises of celibacy, prayer and obedience to the bishop.
   - Priests, by virtue of their ordination, can perform the following sacraments: Baptism, Confirm in particular circumstances, Celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage. (At no time can they ordain anybody)
   - The main role of priests is the salvation of souls through the bestowing of God's grace through their one priesthood in Christ.
   
   
3. Order of Bishops (the Episcopacy)
   - Bishops are chosen from the Order of the Presbyterate through investigation into their holiness and readiness, names are given to the Pope who then names a bishop for that Diocese or are named an auxiliary bishop (a bishop who helps main bishop of a Diocese/Archdiocese)
   - Bishops lead their Diocese/Archdiocese as their shepherd. The appointments that a bishop is given at their ordination add testament to this fact, namely the miter (pointy hat) and the crosier (staff/shepherd's crook).
   - Bishops are in charge of all facets of their Diocese/Archdiocese (except for auxiliaries) and have final say over the vast majority of what happens within their Diocese/Archdiocese.
   - Bishops have the fullness of orders and can perform all 7 sacraments.
   - Bishops, theoretically, can trace their lineage back to the apostles, similar to what is done with popes back to St. Peter. This is called Apostolic Succession which began with Jesus himself.

PRIESTLY FORMATION

The vocation to the priesthood is a unique and important calling. Without priests, there would be no sacraments, and the life of Christ in the world would quickly dissipate. Thus, the Church is constantly seeking out men who might have a call to the priesthood. Young men who enter into priestly formation are called, seminarians. 

Formation takes place at seminaries, hence the name seminarian, and can last anywhere from 5-9 years for diocesan priests. Priests studying for the various Religious Orders (Capuchins, Carmelites, Dominicans, Jesuits, Fathers of Mercy, etc.) vary according to the Order. 

If you are young man who thinks he might have a call to the priesthood, please contact one of the Vocation Directors, Fr. Andy Hammeke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.