In Baptism, we are welcomed into the Common priesthood of Christ and are invited to do our part to build up God’s Kingdom here on earth. There are, however, some who are called to serve Christ in a special way through the ministerial priesthood of Christ.

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission and ministry entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues in the Church until the end of time. This one sacrament includes three degrees: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests) and diaconate (deacons). For all three degrees, ordination consists in the laying of the bishop’s hands on the head of the one to be ordained and a specific prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to consecrate the candidate and give him the gifts proper to his new ministry.

Bishops and priests share by different degrees in the one ministerial priesthood of the New Covenant; by their consecration, they are configured in such a way that they can act in the Person of Christ. Deacons are ordained to a ministry of service, assisting bishops and priests in the celebration of the liturgy and especially in works of charity. Transitional deacons are ordained to the diaconate in preparation for the priesthood, whereas candidates for the permanent diaconate may be married and are called to remain in the diaconate for life.

We at St. Rose of Lima encourage people to consider a possible vocation to the priesthood, religious life or the diaconate. If you would like further details, please feel welcome to speak with one of our priests or our seminarian. We also encourage you to consult the web sites of the Archdiocesan Office of Vocations and St. Augustine’s Seminary, which provide many helpful specifics about vocational discernment and formation for the priesthood and diaconate.