Holy
Orders
Through Holy Orders, Christ calls men to serve His Church as bishops, priests, and deacons.
The ministry of the apostles, continued
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1536
Through the laying on of hands by a bishop, a man is configured to Christ to serve the Church: to preach the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and shepherd God's people. Like Baptism and Confirmation, Holy Orders is received only once.
Bishops, priests, and deacons
Holy Orders includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.
Bishop
Receives the fullness of the sacrament as a successor of the apostles, and shepherds a diocese. Our bishop is the Bishop of Springfield in Illinois.
Priest
A co-worker of the bishop who celebrates the Mass, forgives sins, anoints the sick, and cares for a parish community.
Deacon
Ordained for service. Deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, baptize, witness marriages, and lead funeral rites.
Discerning a vocation
If you've wondered whether God might be calling you to the priesthood or the diaconate, you don't have to figure it out alone.
A good first step is a conversation with Fr. Arisman. He can listen, pray with you, and help you take a next step with the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
And all of us can help: pray for vocations, and pray for the priests and deacons who serve our parish.
Diocese vocations office →
Glad to talk with any man discerning a call, or with families supporting one.