Therefore, the priestly authority is not derived from the congregation as it is in Protestant communites; it is bestowed upon the priest by God. The priest is not a hireling. He is selected by God. Hence St. Paul writes: "Neither doth any man take the honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was" (Heb. v. 4).
The apostles administered Holy Orders by the imposition of hands and by prayer only. In very early times, however, the Church added the anointing and the passing of the priestly symbols and appointed set forms of words to be uttered by the ordaining bishop at each act.
Bishops only are authorized to administer the Sacrament of Holy Orders, for they are the only successors of the apostles, and receives this right through their Episcopal consecration.
Holy Orders increases sanctifying grace in its recipient. It adorns his soul, now clothed with this sanctifying grace, with clearer light, deeper charity, and higher sanctity. It confers upon him the grace to exercise properly the functions of the priesthood and to discharge faithfully its onerous duties, to undergo cheerfully all its struggles and privations, and, if need be, to lay down his life in the sacred service.
Holy Orders imprints upon its recipient an enduring mark as a consecrated servant of the Lord. It distinguishes him from the rest of the faithful, and can be received only once.
