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Holy Orders

Another social sacrament is Holy Orders in which men are ordained to serve the community as priests and deacons.

This is a sacrament, like Baptism and Confirmation, that leaves an indelible mark and can be received only once in a lifetime.

The individual is called and set apart to act as guide and intermediary for God's people. Through an anointing and laying on of hands the Holy Spirit imparts a greater share in the priesthood of Jesus calling the individual to be a shepherd of the people and to offer the supreme sacrifice of the Eucharist.

While the priest is called to minister to and nourish the living Body of Christ, he is also called to live the responsibility of being an alter Christus, of living a holy and blameless life an example of Christ living in his Church.