“From the very beginning of the Church there were men and women who set out to follow Christ with greater liberty, and to imitate him more closely, by practicing the evangelical counsels. They led lives dedicated to God, each in his own way. Many of them, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, became hermits or founded religious families. These the Church, by virtue of her authority, gladly accepted and approved.”

‐ Article 918 Catechism of the Catholic Church

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles is exercised in the Church. It includes three degrees: the role of bishop, priest and deacon. The entire Church is a priestly people. However the ministerial priesthood confers a sacred power for the service of the faithful.