Holy Orders

Discernment

What does a priest do?

A diocesan priest is ordained for the service of God’s people in a definite geographical area under the obedience of the bishop. So, a diocesan priest from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will serve wherever the Cardinal appoints him within the boundaries of the Archdiocese.

For the most part, he lives among the people in the parishes of the diocese, ministering to the day-to-day needs of God’s people. His ministry centers around the administration of the sacraments: celebration of masses, baptisms, weddings, funerals, hearing confessions and anointing the sick. In a way, he is like a general practitioner or family doctor that cater to the needs of the people in his parish such counseling, visiting the sick, talking to youth groups, CCE classes, prayer groups, young adult meetings, etc. His commitment is to serve the people of the local Church.

What are Holy Orders?

“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.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 1536

Are you being called by God?

For more information on discernment, please visit the Houston Vocations website.