Holy Order: supporting and serving the community

Some want to give their lives to serve the gospel and the church; they feel called to it by God and the church. They will be ordained deacons, priests, bishops.

The deacon (servant in Greek) assists the priest in his work in the community: most of his work is often in the social field.

The essential duty of the priest is to proclaim the Word of God, administer the sacraments and guide the community that is entrusted to him. Priests also have the duty to remain single.

During the ordination, the bishop lays hands on the candidate (a sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the transmission of priestly power), then the bishop presents him the paten and chalice that remind him of his essential duty which is to celebrate the Eucharist.

The difference between a priest and a bishop is that the bishop directs generally greater ecclesial territory, which is called a diocese. In addition, together with the other bishops and the Pope, he bears the responsibility for the universal Church. The sign of his high responsibility is the crosier which is a reminiscent of the shepherd’s crook.