The Sacrament of Holy Order

There are three ranks or orders of clergy: Bishops, Priests and Deacons; and they are made Bishops, Priests and Deacons by the Sacrament of Holy Order.

Minister

This Sacrament, which admits candidates to the Sacred Ministry of the Church, can be administered only by a bishop.  The other Sacrament which can be administered only by a bishop is Confirmation, which admits people to full membership of the Church.

Matter

The matter of the Sacrament of Holy Order is the laying on of hands.

Form

The form is the prayer or blessing which goes with the laying on of hands, and shows that the person being ordained, as we say, is being made a Bishop, Priest or Deacon as the case may be.

Character of the Sacrament

The Sacrament of Holy Order, like Baptism and Confirmation, makes a mark, or character as it is called, on the soul which can never be removed.  That is why one can never receive any of these three Sacraments more than once.  So, once people are baptised, they are always baptised.  Once people are priests, they are always priests.