The priesthood is the office of the ministers of religion, who have been commissioned with the holy orders of the Catholic Church. Technically, bishops are a priestly order as well; however, in common
An array of ordained Catholic ministers shown in their distinct priestly ranks, i.e., bishop (central figure), priests, and deacons
A priest celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass
Ordination to the priesthood (Latin Church); devotional card, 1925
During the Rite of Ordination, after the bishop, the priests present lay their hands on the ordinands.
There are seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, which according to Catholic theology were instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church. Sacraments are visible rites seen as signs and effi
Seven Sacraments Altarpiece by Rogier van der Weyden, c. 1448
The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church
Distribution of divine graces by the Church through the sacraments. In the center the personification of Ecclesia with the (papal) tiara; above her baptism, from which streams of grace proceed; at the right marriage, eucharist, confession; at the left anointing of the sick, holy orders, confirmation (Johannes Hopffe, Wrisberg epitaph, Hildesheim, before 1615)
Scene of baptism. Stained glass, Paris, last quarter of the 12th century. From the Sainte-Chapelle of Paris.