The Sacrament of Holy Orders

The man who is ordained receives a gift of the Holy Spirit that gives him a sacred authority that is conferred upon him by Christ through the bishop. Being a Priest does not mean just assuming an office or a ministry. Through Holy Orders a priest receives as a gift a definite power and a mission for his brothers and sisters in faith. The sacrament of Holy Orders has three degrees: Bishop (episcopate), Priest (presbyterate), Deacon (diaconate).