Holy Orders
Holy Orders is one of the seven sacraments. There are three orders; the order of diaconate, of priests and of bishops. These are the only three orders in the hierarchy of the Church. These can be classified as sacraments of service. As it is stated by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Holy orders is the Sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church.”
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Why is it called orders? Because by going through the rite of ordination, the person is incorporated into an order, the order of bishops, the order of priests, and the order of deacons. Thus, they are called to do the ministry or service that pertains to that order.
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The word “vocation” means “to be called.” God created us and calls each one of us to be holy, His adopted children, servants, love others, and be with Him in Heaven for all eternity. However, while these are universal calls to every person, God has created each of us with many different gifts and talents that have an enormous potential to be fulfilled within the context of a particular lifestyle.The four possible vocational lifestyles that God places before us are Ordained life, religious life, married life, or single life.
Priesthood
A priest is ordained to be an aid to the bishop in the ministry of being pastor of a particular community or parish. This ministry is mainly of being an instrument for the sanctification of the people by his ministry of priest, teacher, and pastor.
Ask yourself:
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Do I want to seek the Father’s will and do something extraordinary with my life?
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Do I sense a call to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ?
If you have answered “yes” to either of these questions, God may be calling you to serve Him as a priest.​​
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Learn more about the priesthood from the
Archdiocese of San Antonio:
Deacon
Deacons are called to ministry in the Church, in general, as a ministry of service, and they assist the bishop at the altar; they, as well, help the priest at the parish level. Their liturgical duties are, to proclaim the Gospel, to read the intentions of the prayers of the faithful, at times they may preach, they can celebrate baptisms and bless marriages. A man preparing for the priesthood, goes through the order of deacons for a period called “transitional diaconate”. A married man can receive the order of deaconate, without the intention of becoming a priest, and this is called permanent diaconate.
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Deacons serve in a variety of ministries: parish ministers, prison chaplains, hospital chaplains, diocesan administration, and services. New deacons might be assigned to their home parishes but should realize that deacons could also, from time to time, be asked to take on a new assignment in the diocese. Deacons minister under the authority of the Bishop and are assigned to assist in his overall ministry.
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For more information, contact Parish office
Religious Life
Whether brother or monk, sister or nun, those persons whom God calls to live the vocation of consecrated religious life respond to a call to live the life of Christ. While their expression of this life may differ depending upon their gender, community, charisma, and apostolic work, they have been called to give their life to Christ in service to his Church. No one job or career defines the life or work of the man or woman who discerns this vocation. More aptly, the defining character is their witness of joy and holiness they gain through Christ’s love.
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To learn more, click on the link below.