The Sacrament of Holy Orders

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, there are three degrees, or “orders”: bishop, priest, and deacon. The rite of ordination is the sacramental act through which this ministry is conferred. Ordination “confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a ‘sacred power’ . . which can come only from Christ himself through the Church” (CCC, no. 1538).

The Priesthood

Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded His Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest.

Catholic priests are ordained by the bishop to serve, preach, teach, celebrate and administer the sacraments, and shepherd the People of God. The path to priesthood includes seminary formation and training according to the requirements of the Church and Canon Law.

Who May Be Ordained?

The Catholic Church teaches that only a baptized man may receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Jesus Christ chose men to become part of the Twelve Apostles. Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated great respect and dignity toward women and courageously challenged the cultural attitudes of His time. For example, He did not hesitate to speak with the Samaritan woman, even though such an interaction was contrary to the customs of the time (cf. Jn 4:4–42).

However, Jesus chose only men to be the Twelve Apostles, establishing the foundation of the ministerial priesthood. Although, after the Ascension, Mary held a privileged place among the disciples gathered in the Upper Room, she was not chosen to enter the college of the Twelve when Matthias was selected.

The Apostles continued Christ’s practice, as have their successors throughout the centuries. (USCCA, Chapter 20)

How Will I Know?

“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

Prayer and conversations with your parish priest or deacons may help you begin the discernment process. Taking time to pray, listen, and seek guidance can help you recognize whether God may be calling you to a vocation.

A brief resource from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops may also help you begin answering the question: How will I know?

Priest

General Qualifications for Acceptance to the Priesthood

Baptized, confirmed, and practicing Roman Catholic men who desire to serve God and His people as priests should possess the following general qualifications:

• Faith in and love for Christ and His Church
• Good moral character
• A high school diploma with favorable academic abilities
• Emotional balance and maturity
• Good physical health
• Psychological readiness and the capacity to pursue a sustaining, lifelong commitment
• A deepening habit of prayer and a balanced devotional life
• Maturity to recognize and respond to the needs of others
• Readiness to serve in the manner to which he is called by God, through his bishop
• A developing spirit of detachment that helps him to be in the world but not of the world
• Freedom to enter into this state of life

Interested in Becoming a Priest?

For information about becoming a priest, please speak with our Pastor or contact the Diocese of Camden Vocations Office.

Deacon

The title deacon comes from the Greek word diakonia, meaning “servant.”

The Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate as a permanent rank of the hierarchy for “married and unmarried men of mature years.”

Deacons are ordained to a life of service to Christ and His Church. Among their liturgical and pastoral responsibilities, deacons may:

• Baptize
• Proclaim the Gospel
• Preach the homily
• Assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist
• Assist at and bless marriages
• Preside at funerals

(USCCA, Chapter 20)

The Permanent Diaconate

Ordination to the diaconate is a permanent office. Permanent deacons may be married or unmarried at the time of their ordination. An unmarried man who is ordained a deacon makes a commitment to celibacy and may not marry after ordination.



Permanent deacons generally support themselves and their families through their secular employment. They live and work in the world while seeking to embody Christ the Servant through their ministry and daily lives.

Deacons are ordained to serve the Roman Catholic Diocese in which they live, rather than being ordained exclusively to a particular parish or institution. They carry out their assigned ministry under the direction of their pastor or supervisor, according to the policies and procedures of the Diocese of Camden.

(Directory of Policies and Procedures, Diocese of Camden)

Interested in Becoming a Deacon?

For information about becoming a permanent deacon, please contact one of our parish deacons. They would be happy to speak with you about the vocation, the discernment process, and the formation required.

“Here I am, send me.”

— Isaiah 6:8

If you believe God may be calling you to serve His Church as a priest or deacon, we encourage you to pray about your vocation and speak with a priest or deacon who can help you discern God’s call.