What is Holy Orders?
Orders for men:
"I [Paul] remind you [Timothy] to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands." - 2 Timothy 1:6
"This is why I [Paul] left you [Titus] in Crete, that you...appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you." - Titus 1:5
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "The whole Church is a priestly people. Through baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ...The ministerial priesthood differs in essence from the common priesthood of the faithful because it confers a sacred power fr the service of the faithful. The ordained ministers exercise their service for the People of God by teaching, divine worship, and pastoralgovernance." (1591, 1592)
This sacrament has three ordained orders: Deacons, Priests, and Bishops. Bishops teach, preach, and are responsible for the sanctification of all the souls within their diocese. A priest works in tandem with their bishop to work for the salvation of souls. A Deacon, while not a ministerial priest, is ordained to serve the Church through concentrated acts of charity, ministry of the Word, and divine worship.
Besides these three ordained orders, there are other religious orders for both lay men and ministerial priests. These orders profess vows to follow the evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity, and obedience. Many communities have one or more facets of service which they claim as their primary focus, besides daily prayer and the communal life, such as teaching, ministry to the sick, or ministry to homeless, for example.
Orders for women:
Regarding women in particular, the Catechism says, "From apostolic times, virgins and widows, calld by the Lord to cling only to him with greater freedom of heart, body, ad spirit, have decided...to live...for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven...[They] are consecrated to God..., bethrothed mystically to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the service of the Church." (922, 923).
Women who desire to have this intimate bond with Christ while on earth may become a consecrated virgin or may join a religious community of other women who desire the same union with the Lord. They profess vows to follow the evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity, and obedience. Many communities have one or more facets of service which they claim as their primary focus, besides daily prayer and the communal life, such as teaching, ministry to the sick, or ministry to homeless, for example.
About Holy Orders at St. Aloysius
Considering joining the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life?
Contact the parish priest for assistance with discernment.
For information on the permanent diaconate, contact Deacon