Becoming a priest or a man or woman religious is not primarily our own decision... Rather it is the response to a call and to a call of love.

—Pope Francis, Address to Seminarians and Novices, July 6, 2013

What is Holy Orders?
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, persons of good character with the calling of the Holy Spirit are formed by the Church to serve the Church in leadership, to care for the lost, to the proclamation of the Word, and to the Liturgy and Sacraments. Holy Orders is the sacrament in which Jesus acts to receive people into the ministry of the deacon, the priest, or the Bishop of the Church.

Those who believe that the Holy Spirit is calling them to Holy Orders follow a prescribed course in the study of theology, scripture, and tradition after having been received by a Bishop or Superior of a community as candidates for the ministry. Having completed the process of formation for ordination, the candidate for priesthood or diaconate is called by a Bishop from the community of the faithful to the reception of Holy Orders. A bishop receives the order of Episcopacy when he is chosen by the Pope and ordained for that office.   

What is the difference between a priest and deacon?
A deacon is called to service in the name of the Church.  Permanent deacons are men who have been called by the Church to Holy Orders. The Deacon is to be a sign of Christ’s serving mission, especially the service to the poor. The Deacon will also instruct the faithful through Catechesis and preaching. He may also minister all the sacraments except those reserved to priests.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry. Deacons preparing for the priesthood are transitional deacons. Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Married men may be ordained permanent deacons, and single men may be ordained with a commitment to celibacy.

A transitional deacon is a celibate man who has been ordained a deacon and who intends to become a priest. Transitional deacons are usually ordained to the diaconate after they complete their third year at the theological seminary.

The sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a sacred power which is none other than that of Christ.

Do you have a feeling that God may be calling you to the priesthood?

Take the first step in faith and talk about it with our pastor. He will help you along the path of discerning your vocation. And if someone you know has the feeling, help him take that first step!

To learn more about a priestly vocation within the Diocese of Los Angeles, please visit the Diocesan Office for Vocations