Holy Orders
“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.” (CCC 1536)
A priest is a man, chosen from among men to be an “alter Christus” (another Christ). The call to serve is a vocation. One does not choose but is chosen by Christ and the Church to continue the mission of Christ on earth.
If you are discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life and would like more information please visit the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website.