"By divine institution, some of the Christian faithful are marked with an indelible character and constituted as sacred ministers by the sacrament of holy orders. They are thus consecrated and deputed so that, each according to his own grade, they may serve the People of God by a new and specific title. (c. 1008)" Holy Orders consists of three major orders: Deacon, Presbyter and Bishop. The priesthood consists of both the presbyters and bishops, whereas the diaconate is a participation in Christ the Servant, especially in the ministries of the word and charity.
The permanent diaconate was restored at the Second Vatican Council and is a beautiful ordained ministry where tested and proven married men who have excelled in virtue and in their ability to serve both family and the Church, and have experienced the call of Jesus to ordained ministry, enter service to the bishops and presbyters in building-up the Church and in animating apostolic activity amongst the laity.
The priesthood, presbyters and bishops, have received a further ordination and sacramental character to minister "in the person of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church" and are meant to truly be "another Christ". This sacramental character opens the man to be able to speak in the person of Christ when celebrating the Sacraments, especially when consecrating the Eucharist at Mass and when absolving sins in the Sacraments of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick.
Those interested in the vocations of the permanent diaconate or priesthood are invited to meet with Fr. Phil and to find out more information at our diocesan vocations office: https://rcdop.org/vocations.