Title: Sacraments of Service - Church of St. Edward the Confessor - Granville, OH
Headings: Sacraments of Service
Sacraments of Service
Sacraments of Service

Content: In ordaining priests, the bishop lays his hands on the head of each candidate and prays silently. This is the most important sign n the sacrament of Holy Orders. Then the bishop prays a prayer of consecration or the prayer that "makes holy". Each candidate for the priesthood is also anointed with holy oil. This is a sign of his special sharing in Christ's own priesthood through the ordained ministry. Each new priest receives a paten and a chalice with which to lead the community in celebrating the Eucharist. Priests are Christ's representatives on earth. Like Baptism and Confirmation, Holy Orders confers an indelible character and cannot be repeated. The sacrament of holy orders is conferred in three ranks: bishops, priests, and deacons.