What are Holy Orders?

It includes three degrees: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests), and diaconate (deacons)... No one has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders.

"Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time…It includes three degrees of order: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate" (CCC 1536).Deacons, priest and bishops are essential to the Catholic Church because we believe that they continue the work begun by the apostles. Consecration as a bishop makes him a real and legitimate successor of the apostles. Explain that the term order means “degree” or “rank.” Draw three intertwined rings on the board. There are three “degrees” to Holy Orders: deacon, priest and bishop. The fullness of Holy Orders rests in the office of bishop. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. This apostolic ministry is now known as Holy Orders, which carries out the priestly ministry for the entire Church. Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. - Catechism of the Catholic Church 1536 It is claimed as an Ancient Landmark of Freemasonry that there are but three degrees in Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, including the Holy Royal Arch.

"Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time…It includes three degrees of order: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate" (CCC 1536).Deacons, priest and bishops are essential to the Catholic Church because we believe that they continue the work begun by the apostles.

The three degrees of this one sacrament (episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate) are a participation in the apostolic offices of teaching, sanctifying, and governing given by … There are three degrees of Holy Orders in the Catholic Church: Bishop, Priest, and Deacon. "Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the messianic mission of Christ continues in His Church until the end of time. Holy Orders describes the sacrament which has three degrees: bishop, priest, and deacon. The Sacrament of Holy Orders Bishops receive the fullness of Holy Orders and can trace their ordination in succession all the way back to the Apostles themselves. Point out that in Holy Orders, the mission Jesus entrusted to his Apostles continues—the proclamation of the Gospel endures, the Sacraments are celebrated, and the spiritual needs of the People of God are served.

"Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time…It includes three degrees of order: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate" (CCC 1536).Deacons, priest and bishops are essential to the Catholic Church because we believe that they continue the work begun by the apostles.