In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.  To discuss a possible vocation to priesthood, diaconate or religious life, please call Fr. Del Staigers (513-688-3144) or Fr. Dan Schmitmeyer (archdiocesan vocation director, 513-421-3131).

Sacrament of Holy Orders

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

If you are contemplating your call to enter the priesthood or religious life, please contact Fr. Del Staigers at 528-1622 x 106 or email [email protected]

Rooted in Baptism, Holy Orders is described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church by the prayers used in each of the three Orders:

1541 The liturgy of the Church, however, sees in the priesthood of Aaron and the service of the Levites, as in the institution of the seventy elders, a prefiguring of the ordained ministry of the New Covenant. Thus in the Latin Rite the Church prays in the consecratory preface of the ordination of bishops: 

God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . 
by your gracious word 
you have established the plan of your Church. 

From the beginning, 
you chose the descendants of Abraham to be your holy nation. 
You established rulers and priests 
and did not leave your sanctuary without ministers to serve you. . . .

1542 At the ordination of priests, the Church prays: 

Lord, holy Father, . . . 
when you had appointed high priests to rule your people, 
you chose other men next to them in rank and dignity 
to be with them and to help them in their task. . . . 

you extended the spirit of Moses to seventy wise men. . . . 
You shared among the sons of Aaron 
the fullness of their father's power.

1543 In the consecratory prayer for ordination of deacons, the Church confesses: 

Almighty God . . ., 
You make the Church, Christ's body, 
grow to its full stature as a new and greater temple. 
You enrich it with every kind of grace 
and perfect it with a diversity of members 
to serve the whole body in a wonderful pattern of unity. 

You established a threefold ministry of worship and service, 
for the glory of your name. 
As ministers of your tabernacle you chose the sons of Levi 
and gave them your blessing as their everlasting inheritance.

Almighty Father, you have created us for some definite purpose. Grant us the grace to know the path you have planned for us in this life and to respond with a generous “Yes.” Make our archdiocese, parishes, homes and hearts fruitful ground for Your gift of vocations. May our young people respond to Your call with courage and zeal.  Stir among our men a desire and the strength to be good and holy priests. Bless us with consecrated religious and those called to a chaste single life, permanent deacons, and faithful husbands and wives, who are a sign of Christ’s love for His Church. We commend our prayer for vocations to You, Father, through the intercession of Mary our Mother, in the Holy Spirit, through Christ our Lord. Amen.