Orders, Holy
glossary_termThe Sacrament of Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church through the laying on of hands. This sacrament has three distinct degrees or "orders": deacon, priest, and bishop. All three confer a permanent, sacramental character
Catechism Passages
Passages ranked by relevance to Orders, Holy, from most closely related outward.
§1536
CHAPTER THREE THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION
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. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.