The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the “common priesthood of the faithful.” Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community. 

The ministerial priesthood conferred through the sacrament of Holy Orders differs in essence from the common priesthood of the faithful because it confers a sacred power for the service of the faithful. 

It is a service exercised for the holy People of God by teaching, divine worship, and pastoral governance. 

The sacrament of Holy Orders is normally conferred only on candidates who are ready to embrace celibacy freely and who publicly manifest their intention of staying celibate for the love of God’s kingdom and the service of their fellow men. 

God calls all of us to a life of heroic charity within our various vocations. He continues to call men to be priests. 

If you or someone you know are discerning a call to the holy priesthood, you should contact Father Chase Hilgenbrinck within the Office of Priestly Vocations of the Diocese of Peoria. 

You can call him at 309-671-1550 or through email at fr_hilgenbrinck@cdop.org.