Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which bishops, priests and deacons are ordained for ministry in the Catholic Church. The sacrament has three degrees — the episcopate, the priesthood and the diaconate — with the diaconate exercised in either a transitional or permanent form.

This collection includes local, national and international news and features about ordinations, episcopal ministry, and the life and service of ordained clergy. Coverage within the Diocese of Rochester also includes formation and discernment for the priesthood and permanent diaconate, along with efforts to encourage and support vocations to ordained ministry.

Explore broader coverage of ordained, vowed and lay vocations in the Catholic Courier’s Vocations section →.