Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which men are ordained to be of service to the Church as priests, deacons or bishops. While all of the baptized are “ordained” to a life of service and commitment to Jesus, the Church calls upon some of its members to serve the community in a different way through the Sacrament of ministerial priesthood. The ordained have a unique role within the Catholic community.

Is God calling you to become a priest, brother or deacon? Discernment requires asking God what will make you happy. People faithfully discern God’s will by bringing Him into the decision through prayer, sacraments, counsel and more. Men discerning a call to Holy Orders, as well as women discerning religious life as a sister, are encouraged to contact the Office Vocations. The Archdiocesan Office of Vocations helps people discern their vocation through counsel, events, prayer and more. Learn more at the Office of Vocations Website.  

Prayer to Know My Vocation

My Lord and my God.  You are love itself, the Source of all love and goodness.  Out of love You created me to know You, to love You, and to serve You in a unique way, as no one else can.  I believe that You have a plan for my life, that You have a mission in your Kingdom reserved for me alone.  Your plan and your mission are far better than any other I might choose, they will glorify You, fulfill the desires of my heart, and bring salvation to those souls who are depending on my generous response. 

Lord, grant me the light of grace I need to see the next step in your plan;  grant me the generosity necessary to follow your call; and grant me the courage required to take up my cross and to follow You.

Show me your will, O gentle and eternal God, and help me to say with Mary, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”  Let me say with Jesus, “let not my will be done, but Yours.”  Amen.