The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the sacrament which, by the laying on of hands by the Bishop, confers the spiritual faculty to exercise the mission Christ entrusted to his disciples on the man being ordained into the Sacred Priesthood. It is a sacrament of apostolic ministry. “The apostles were endowed by Christ with a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit coming upon them, and, by imposition of hand, they passed on…the gift of the Spirit, which is transmitted down to our day through episcopal consecration.” (Lumen Gentium, No. 21)  These men that become Priests are consecrated, that is designated to Divine service to God and the Church, and are marked with an indelible sacramental character.

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They are to be fully prepared to act in the person of Christ, proclaiming Christ’s mystery to the Eucharistic assembly, preaching the universal mission of salvation. Deacons also are ordained; they “share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the deacon or servant to all.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1570)

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Diocese Vocations Office Seek His Will. Answer His Call: You can also contact our Diocesan Vocations Director, Rev. Mark Searles, for more information as you discern your vocation (djames@allentowndiocese.org; 610-437-0755). 

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"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.'" (Matthew 9:37-38)