“Holy Orders is the sacrament in which the mission of the Church entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1536).  By Christ’s command, this sacrament establishes some among the Christian faithful as sacred ministers.  They are consecrated and designated to nourish the people of God, fulfilling in the person of Christ the Head the functions of teaching, sanctifying, and governing.  The term “orders” means the incorporation into a group of people, as opposed to being given a directive.

There are three degrees of Holy Orders:

• Episcopate (Bishops)
• Presbyterate (Priests)
• Diaconate (Deacons)

We believe that certain men receive a calling from God to enter the priesthood.  We encourage all of the young men of our parish to explore this vocation.  In the Roman Catholic Church, priests are unmarried men who are at least 26 years of age.  For more information about becoming a priest in the Diocese of St. Augustine, please click here.

We also believe that certain men may be called to the permanent diaconate.  Permanent deacons may be married or unmarried men.  For more information about becoming a deacon in the Diocese of St. Augustine, please click here.