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.
There are three degrees of ordination:
For information on the Priesthood, contact the Vocation Office.
For information on the Permanent Diaconate, contact the Diaconate Office.
Please visit the Diocese of Austin Office of Vocations Web site here.
Lord, Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of our souls, you who know your sheep and know how to reach our hearts, open the minds and hearts of those young people who search for and await a word of truth for their lives; let them understand that only in the mystery of your incarnation do they find full light; arouse the courage of those who know where to seek the truth but fear that what you ask will be too demanding.
Stir in the hearts of those young people who would follow you but who cannot overcome doubts and fears and who in the end follow other voices and other paths which lead nowhere.
You who are the Word of the Father, the Word that creates and saves, the Word that enlightens and sustains hearts, conquer with your Spirit the resistance and delays of indecisive hearts; arouse in those whom you call the courage of love’s answer: “Here I am, send me!”
Amen.
Pope John Paul II