HOLY ORDERS: At the Last Supper, Jesus told the Apostles, his first priests, to offer up bread and wine "as a remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). In each church to which they traveled, Paul and Barnabas "installed presbyters and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith" 
(Acts 14:23).
By the 12th century the sacramental system was in place; Holy Orders were named one of the seven sacraments and celibacy became a Church law. Vatican II states, “Those of the faithful who are consecrated by Holy Orders are appointed to feed the Church in Christ's name with the Word and the grace of God." The sacrament of Holy Orders is composed of three degrees, each having specific roles. For the ministry of service one is ordained as a transitional deacon in preparation for the priesthood or a permanent deacon at the first level. The second level of orders is the priesthood which empowers a transitional deacon to celebrate the sacraments and Mass. The third level, Bishops are ordained with the fullness of orders. This endows them with administrative and ecclesial authority.
Vatican II describes a deeper insight and a renewal of priestly life which emphasizes the priesthood as a consecration for service rather than for power. The permanent diaconate was reinstated as a ministry in its own right. The ordination Mass is a symbol and rite of Holy Orders which is a powerful expression of the Church's mission. This mission symbolizes new life for the Church through the newly ordained.
The ordained priest makes it possible for sacramental life of the Church to continue. His liturgical role and "the priestly role" lend to a full participation in the mission of Christ in virtue of baptism. The priest is a constant reminder of God’s presence and concern for his people and encourages a more vibrant Church with the relationship of faith community. Therefore, the renewal of Vatican II encouraged a new climate and style of leadership where the priest and laity work together to build up the Body of Christ.
HOLY ORDERS: At the Last Supper, Jesus told the Apostles, his first priests, to offer up bread and wine "as a remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). In each church to which they traveled, Paul and Barnabas "installed presbyters and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith" (Acts 14:23).
By the 12th century the sacramental system was in place; Holy Orders were named one of the seven sacraments and celibacy became a Church law. Vatican II states, “Those of the faithful who are consecrated by Holy Orders are appointed to feed the Church in Christ's name with the Word and the grace of God." The sacrament of Holy Orders is composed of three degrees, each having specific roles. For the ministry of service one is ordained as a transitional deacon in preparation for the priesthood or a permanent deacon at the first level. The second level of orders is the priesthood which empowers a transitional deacon to celebrate the sacraments and Mass. The third level, Bishops are ordained with the fullness of orders. This endows them with administrative and ecclesial authority.
Vatican II describes a deeper insight and a renewal of priestly life which emphasizes the priesthood as a consecration for service rather than for power. The permanent diaconate was reinstated as a ministry in its own right. The ordination Mass is a symbol and rite of Holy Orders which is a powerful expression of the Church's mission. This mission symbolizes new life for the Church through the newly ordained.
The ordained priest makes it possible for sacramental life of the Church to continue. His liturgical role and "the priestly role" lend to a full participation in the mission of Christ in virtue of baptism. The priest is a constant reminder of God’s presence and concern for his people and encourages a more vibrant Church with the relationship of faith community. Therefore, the renewal of Vatican II encouraged a new climate and style of leadership where the priest and laity work together to build up the Body of Christ.