"Here I am, send me." (Is 6:8)
In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, there are three degrees or “orders”: bishop, priest, and deacon. The rite of ordination is the sacramental act that makes this possible. Ordination “confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a ‘sacred power’ . . . which can come only from Christ himself through the Church” (CCC, no. 1538).
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. All Catholic priests are ordained by the Bishop to serve, preach, teach, minister the sacraments, and shepherd the people of God. To become a priest the process includes seminary formation and training according to Canon Law.
Who may be ordained?
Only a baptized man may be ordained in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Jesus Christ chose men to become part of the Twelve. Throughout his ministry, his attitude toward women was different from the culture, and he courageously broke with it. For example, he did not hesitate to speak with the Samaritan woman even though custom forbade it (cf. Jn 4:4- 42). However, it was only men whom he chose to be the Twelve Apostles and the foundation of the ministerial priesthood. Although after the Ascension, Mary occupied a privileged place in the little circle gathered in the Upper Room, she was not called to enter the college of the Twelve at the time of the election of Matthias. The Apostles continued Christ’s practice and so, too, did their successors through the centuries. (USCCA, Chapter 20)
How will I know?
Becoming a priest or a man or woman religious is not primarily our own decision.... Rather it is the response to a call and to a call of love.
~ Pope Francis, Address to Seminarians and Novices, July 6, 2013
Prayer and speaking with your parish's priests or deacons may help you to begin the discernment process. Here is a brief article from the USCCB that may help you begin to answer the question. How will I know?
General Qualifications for Acceptance to the Priesthood:
Baptized, confirmed, and practicing Roman Catholic men with a desire to serve God and His people as a priest must possess the following general qualifications:
For information on becoming a priest, speak with our Pastor or one of our other parish priests, or contact the Diocese of Tucson Vocations Office.
The title deacon comes from the Greek word diakonia meaning “servant.” The Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate as a permanent rank of the hierarchy for “married and unmarried men of mature years.” Deacons take vow of “Chastity,” meaning they may not marry after being ordained.
Deacons may baptize, proclaim the Gospel, preach the homily, assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages, and preside at funerals. (USCCA, Chapter 20)
Ordination to the “Diaconate” is a permanent “office,” but Deacons are expected to support themselves and their families. They exist in the secular world as Christ the servant.
All deacons are ordained to serve the Roman Catholic Diocese in which they live, not a particular parish or institution. Deacons carry out their assigned ministry under the direction of their pastor/supervisor (Directory of Policies and Procedures, Diocese of Tucson).
For information on becoming a Deacon, contact one of the parish Deacons.
Nuns, Sisters, Brothers and Monks are known as Religious. While dedicated to serving God in a special role, Religious do not receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Rather, they take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
NUN
A nun is a woman who lives in a monastery as a contemplative person. As a general rule, her work is for the world, not in the world. She works and prays within a monastery most often, within her community, she will be called “Sister.”
SISTER
A Catholic sister, or religious woman, who lives a vocation directed to serving and evangelizing the world, is different from a nun. She works in the world, taking the Gospel wherever she goes. She may live in a convent or live on her own, but she lives in some form of community on a mission.
MONK
A monk is a person who lives with other monks in community. These communities tend to be self-sufficient. They serve the Church through prayer, meditation, and offering the fruits of their time with God. A monk’s work and prayer are primarily for the world. A monk may or may not be a priest.
BROTHER
A brother may or may not live with other brothers, but typically does not live in a monastery. He tends to stay within a defined geographical area and serve within it. His work and prayer are primarily in the world.
If you are considering religious life, speak with our Pastor.