The Missionary Society of St. Columban has been blessed with two ordinations in February 2018 – ordinations to priesthood and diaconate. Thank God for the gift of Vocations! It is then fitting to raise this question which puzzled a number of the faithful: What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders and why is it called “Orders”?

Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD of Cagayan de Oro ordaining Rev. Erl Dylan J. Tabaco to the order of presbyters
February 17, 2018, Most Holy Rosary Parish, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City
[Photo Credit: Eldon M. Bravo]

Here’s an answer lifted directly from the CATECHISM FOR FILIPINO CATHOLICS #1949, quoting Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and also from Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCCC).

In its specific nature, Holy Orders is “the sacrament of apostolic ministry.” Through it, “the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church to the end of time” (CCC 1536). “Order” in Church usage simply means the group or body of those who carry on certain functions, such as teaching, sanctifying, and governing.

Ordination is “the sacramental act by which one is integrated into the orders of bishops, of priests and of deacons. It goes beyond a simple designation, delegation or institution by the community since it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit, enabling the exercise of a sacred power which can only come from Christ himself, through his Church” (CCC 1538). That is, enabling the ordained to exercise a sacred power in the name and with the authority of Christ for the service of the People of God (CCCC 323).