Holy Orders
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Christ is knocking very hard at many hearts,
looking for young people like you to send into the vineyard
where an abundant harvest is ready. - St. John Paul IIBy the power of the Holy Spirit, the Risen Christ continues to lead His flock here on earth through the ministerial priesthood ordained for this purpose through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. This particular sacrament is called 'orders' because there are three participatory degrees to this sacrament, all 'ordered' to one another. The three orders are bishop, priest and deacon; all ordered to serve in distinct yet interconnected ways. We are all by our baptism part of the common priesthood of Jesus Christ, but from among the faithful some are chosen for the ministerial priesthood and 'ordered' in a special way to be at service of the common priesthood. The ordained priesthood is a means by which Jesus Christ builds up and leads His Church here on earth (CCC 1544-1547).
Priesthood
One word sums up the priesthood: Love.
Not the flawed love of human beings. Priests are humans like the rest of us.
I’m talking about the Love that created space and time,
hung on a cross, rose from the dead,
promised that he’d never leave us,
and who reaches out to the world today,
through the hands of his priests.
One Word Sums Up the Priesthood: LoveHeroic Priesthood
Discern the Call.
Christ’s invitation to priesthood is an invitation to a way of life
that is athletic in its intensity and heroic in its form.I Will Follow
A powerful 10-minute film by Ascension Press featuring the testimonies of Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. Josh Johnson, including their journey to the priesthood.Perhaps God is calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life. Will you have the courage to follow your heart? As Pope John Paul II reminded us so often throughout his pontificate: Be not afraid! Don’t let fear paralyze you. Instead, ask a priest you trust to help you with your concerns. Remain faithful to daily prayer, trust in God, and your heart will be at peace, no matter what your vocation. For more information, contact
Fr. Rick at 289-554-0556, Ext. 8, or visit the Office of Vocations, Archdiocese of Toronto.Permanent Diaconate
Deacons receive the imposition of hands 'not for the priesthood but for the ministry.
' For, strengthened by sacramental grace, they are dedicated to the people of God,
in communion with the bishop and his presbyterate,
in the service of the liturgy, of the word and of charity.
- Vatican II
Permanent deacons share in the Sacrament of Orders with the Bishop and priests. While the word "bishop" means overseer, and priest means "to offer sacrifice," the word deacon means "to serve." In the time of the apostles, deacons helped with the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. Today, deacons act as ministers of the Word, preaching, and teaching in the name of the Church. As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services.
For more information regarding the Diaconate program, please contact:
Archdiocese of Toronto
Office of Clergy Personnel – Diaconate
Tel: 416-934-3400, ext. 304
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