Holy Orders is one of the two Holy Mysteries of Service. Through the Mystery of Holy Orders, a man is set apart for a particular and specific ministry within the Church. Holy Orders fall into two categories: the Minor Order and the Major Orders.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“In His love for humankind, God the Father “so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn 3:16-17). The Son of God, Jesus Christ, calls himself the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). Christ fulfills in himself God’s promise of the one Shepherd for the People of God: “I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd” (Ez 34:23). Christ passes on his pastorship to his chosen apostles whom he called, and also to their successors. This he does so that through them he would continue to remain in the Church and lead it.” (485)
“A vocation to the priesthood is God’s gift to an ecclesial community and at the same time the fruit of the spiritual life of a community – the family and the parish. That is why the Church prays ceaselessly for good and holy vocations to the priestly ministry. The Church provides appropriate preparation for those called by God. This is so that they can be open to receive the grace of the priesthood – to serve God’s people. During this preparation, the candidate grows in the spirit of prayer, knowledge of the Church’s teaching, and skill in leading others on the path of salvation. Responsibility for the preparedness of the candidate to the priesthood lies with the bishop, who entrusts him with a ministry in the Church. The ecclesial community, for its part, upholds him in his ministry.” (499)
Holy Orders at Our Parish
It is exceedingly joyful for a parish community to witness the calling of one of its own parishioners to ordained ministry. The Church, through its teaching, preaching, and worshiping of Christ prays for more men to be called to Holy Orders and encourages those who, feeling they are called to serve the Church among the ordained ministry, to explore this calling more deeply.
If you believe that God is calling you to serve Him and the Church in the ordained ministry, please speak to your Parish Priest.