The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles; thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as "the sacrament of apostolic ministry." Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders - as a deacon, priest or bishop - are consecrated in Christ’s name “to feed the Church by the word and grace of God.” 

“Ordination” comes from the Latin word ordinatio, which means to incorporate someone into an order. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a man is incorporated into the priesthood of Christ at one of three levels: the episcopate, the priesthood, or the diaconate.

The USCCB is pleased to highlight various ways that vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life can be promoted by featuring resources that are currently used by archdioceses and dioceses throughout the United States, or available through various organizations. Click here to visit the Catholic Diocese of Peoria's Office of Priestly Vocations website to find out more.

"Becoming a priest or a man or woman religious is not primarily our own decision. . . . Rather it is the response to a call and to a call of love." - Pope Francis, Address to Seminarians and Novices, July 6, 2013