Holy Orders in the Catholic Church include three orders: bishop, priest, and deacon. The Church regards ordination as a Sacrament. In the phrase "Holy Orders," the word "holy" means "set apart for some purpose." The term "order" (Latin: ordo) designates an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ordination means legal incorporation into an ordo. In context, therefore, a Holy Order is simply a group with a hierarchical structure that is set apart for ministry in the Church.

For Catholics, the church views the last year in the seminary; typically, in the previous year of seminary training, a man will be ordained to the "transitional diaconate." This distinguishes men bound for priesthood from those who have entered the "permanent diaconate" and do not intend to seek ordination as a priest. Whether transitional or permanent, Deacons receive faculties to preach, perform baptisms, and witness marriages. They may assist at the Eucharist or the Mass but are not the ministers of the Eucharist. After six months or more as a transitional deacon, a man will be ordained to the priesthood. Priests can preach, perform baptisms, witness marriages, hear confessions and give absolutions, anoint the sick, and celebrate the Eucharist or the Mass. Some priests are later chosen to be bishops; bishops may ordain priests, deacons, and bishops.

For more information concerning Holy Orders, you may contact one of our parish priests or the Office of Vocations of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Did you know there are two kinds of priests? There are diocesan and religious priests, and it is essential to understand their differences when discerning the priesthood. 

For more information concerning the Permanent Diaconate, you may contact one of our parish priests or deacons or the Office of the Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.