"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…It includes three degrees of order: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate" (CCC 1536). Deacons, priest and bishops are essential to the Catholic Church because we believe that they continue the work begun by the apostles.

Priesthood

Men who think they are called to serve the Church as a priest in the Latin Rite (Roman Catholic Church) are to be celibate and remain celibate after they are ordained. The individual is called and set apart to act in the person of Christ as a guide and intermediary for God’s people. Through an anointing and laying on of hands by the bishop, the Holy Spirit imparts a greater share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ the High Priest of God, calling the individual to preach the Word of God, be a shepherd of the people, administer the mercy of God by the forgiveness of sins, and offer the supreme Sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist for the good of all. They are ordained into the priesthood and serve the Church in the clerical state.

For more information:

Diocese of Honolulu – Diocesan Priesthood in Hawaiʻi

Any man who thinks he is being called by the Lord to the life of a Priest should contact:

• Fr. Jarek, St. John the Baptist Church, at (808) 845-0984
• Fr. Joseph Diaz, Diocese of Honolulu, Director of Vocations, at (808) 585-3355

Diaconate

Men who think they are called to serve the Church as a deacon in the Latin Rite (Roman Catholic Church) can be single or married (this is sometimes referred to as a “permanent” deacon). If single, they are to remain celibate after ordination. If married, they must be married before they are ordained. They should be at least 35 years old by the time they are to be ordained (unless the bishop issues a dispensation to ordain a man who is younger than 35). The individual is called and set apart to act as an icon of Christ the Servant for the good of God’s people. Through the laying on of hands by the bishop, the Holy Spirit imparts a greater share in the diakonia of Jesus Christ the Servant of God, calling the individual to assist the bishop, preach the Word of God, and be a servant of the people in charity for the poor and vulnerable. They are ordained into diakonia and serve the Church in the clerical state.

For more information:

Diocese of Honolulu – How do I become a deacon?

Any man who thinks he is being called by the Lord to the life of a Deacon should contact:

• Fr. Jarek or Dcn. Ricardo Burgos, St. John the Baptist Parish, at (808) 845-0984
• Dcn. John Coughlin, Diocese of Honolulu, Director of Diaconate Formation, at (808) 203-6729