“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. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate” (CCC, 1536).

“Religious life in its various forms is called to signify the very charity of God in the language of our time (CCC, 926).

From the earliest accounts of Sacred Scripture, God has been choosing men and women to follow Him. The whole of Christian life itself is one of vocation, and yet God is calling forth some to serve in the blessed and particular expression of Holy Orders and religious life as a priest, deacon, a ‘brother’ or ‘sister’. Saint Paul writes, “And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ …” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

What God is calling you to be is as important as what God is calling you to do. To what vocation is God calling you? Find our more at:

• Diocese of Saint Cloud vocation’s office

Or contact one of our priests or deacons to find out more information.