The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles that continues to be exercised in the Church today. It is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: Episcopate (Bishops), Presbyterate (Priests) , and Diaconate (Deacons).The word order is an established civil body, especially a governing body.
Integration into one of these bodies in the Church was accomplished by a rite called ordination, a religious and liturgical act which has a consecration, a blessing or a sacrament. The word "ordination" is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, priests, or deacons, and goes beyond a simple election, designation or delegation. For it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit which can come only from Christ himself through his Church. The laying on of hands by the bishop, with the consecrating prayer, constitutes the visible sign of ordination.
The priests are appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (Hebrews 5:1; Exodus 29:1-30; Leviticus 8.)
Integration into one of these bodies in the Church was accomplished by a rite called ordination, a religious and liturgical act which has a consecration, a blessing or a sacrament. The word "ordination" is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, priests, or deacons, and goes beyond a simple election, designation or delegation. For it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit which can come only from Christ himself through his Church. The laying on of hands by the bishop, with the consecrating prayer, constitutes the visible sign of ordination.
The priests are appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (Hebrews 5:1; Exodus 29:1-30; Leviticus 8.)
Everything that the priesthood of the Old Testament proclamation finds its fulfillment in Christ Jesus, the "one mediator between God and men." (1st. Timothy 2:5)
Again, this is just a short essay the responsibility to know more is within us.
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