Holy Orders

The sacrament of holy orders in the Catholic Church includes three orders: bishop, priest, and deacon.

The Effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders, like the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Confirmation, can only be received once for each level of ordination. Once a man has been ordained, he is spiritually changed, which is the origin of the saying, “Once a priest, always a priest.” He can be dispensed of his obligations as a priest (or even forbidden to act as a priest), but he remains a priest forever.

Each level of ordination confers special graces, from the ability to preach, granted to deacons; to the ability to act in the person of Christ to offer the Mass, granted to priests; to a special grace of strength, granted to bishops, which allows him to teach and lead his flock, even to the point of dying as Christ did. 

For further information on Holy Orders, please contract Fr. Grzegorz Warmuz or the Parish Office at 708.599.1110.