Which Sacrament ordains men to the priesthood?

• A. Holy Orders
• B. Baptism
• C. Confirmation
• D. Eucharist

Answer: (A)

Holy Orders is the sacrament that ordains men to the priesthood. In this rite, a man receives the grace and the official authority to lead, preach, and celebrate the sacraments, including the Eucharist, within the Church. The key act in Holy Orders is the laying on of hands and a special prayer of consecration by a bishop, which bestows the ordained role (priest, and also deacon or bishop as the hierarchical stages).

Baptism initiates a person into the Christian community; Confirmation strengthens and seals that grace with the Holy Spirit; the Eucharist nourishes the spiritual life by uniting the believer with Christ’s real presence. None of these confer ordination to the priesthood, which is why Holy Orders is the correct choice.