Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Jesus Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles. This is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as "the sacrament of apostolic ministry."
Holy Orders are only received by those called to be priests. This sacrament allows them to become the very men who can administer all of these sacraments to others. It’s a bishop who puts his hands over and prays over the new deacon or priest, consecrating him to Our Lord.
Holy Orders gives a special effusion of the Holy Spirit and has a special characteristic: he who receives this sacrament will be a priest forever, his soul permanently marked and called apart by God.
In Holy Orders men are ordained as priests. Priests serve as spiritual leaders of their communities, while deacons serve to remind us of our baptismal call to help others. Bishops carry on the teachings of the apostles. The signs of this sacrament are the laying on of hands and anointing with oil by the bishop.

The Green Bay Diocese is fervently praying for more vocations to the priesthood. To explore this sacrament, click on this Diocesan Vocations Office link.