The Sacraments of Vocation or Service
The Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony "are directed towards the salvation of others. They serve to build up the People of God.” (CCC, 1534)
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ's priesthood, which he bestowed upon his Apostles; thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as "the sacrament of apostolic ministry."
"Ordination" comes from the Latin word ordinatio, which means to incorporate someone into an order. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a man is incorporated into the priesthood of Christ, at one of three levels: the episcopate, the priesthood, or the diaconate.
Ordination of Bishops: A bishop is a priest who is ordained to the episcopate by another bishop (in practice, by several bishops). He stands in a direct, unbroken line from the Apostles, a condition known as "apostolic succession." Ordination as a bishop confers the grace to sanctify others, as well as the authority to teach the faithful and to bind their consciences. Because of the grave nature of this responsibility, all episcopal ordinations must be approved by the Pope.
Ordination of Priests: No bishop can minister to all of the faithful in his diocese, so priests act as "co-workers of the bishops." They exercise their powers lawfully only in communion with their bishop, and so they promise obedience to their bishop at the time of their ordination. The chief duties of the priesthood are the preaching of the Gospel and the offering of the Eucharist.
Ordination of Deacons: Deacons assist priests and bishops. Deacons can be permanent or transitional (on their way to becoming a priest). The deacon can preach, baptize, assist at the altar, bless marriages, presides over funerals, and administer viaticum to the sick.
Men interested in ordination to the diaconate or priesthood, and men or women interested in religious life should speak with one of the priests or call the archdiocesan office of vocations.
Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and a baptized woman bind themselves for life in a lawful marriage and receive the grace to discharge their duties. It is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.
Marriage is more than a natural institution; it was elevated by Christ Himself, in His participation in the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), to be one of the seven sacraments. A marriage between two Christians, therefore, has a supernatural element as well as a natural one. While few Christians outside of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches regard marriage as a sacrament, the Catholic Church insists that marriage between any two baptized Christians, as long as it is entered into with the intention to contract a true marriage, is a sacrament.
If you are planning a marriage, please click here for our Marriage Guide and more detailed information. (coming soon)