Holy Orders Holy Orders are a Sacrament at the service of Communion that Jesus gave to the Church to pass it on to men. It was established to provide ministers to serve the Church. Those who have received this sacrament are members of a college that dedicates their lives to becoming servants of the Word of God. They are called to live a life of self-denial, celibacy, and sacrifice for the well-being of other beings. Holy Orders confer different powers and authorities in the Church on three different levels. To receive the Sacrament one must be a baptized male who serves as a role model for others, have an internal and external calling, have knowledge of the Sacrament, be the right age, make a lifelong commitment to living without a wife, and study theology. Bishops are at the top of the hierarchy and join the full priesthood of God. They have the power to ordain deacons, priests, and other bishops. They are members of an episcopal college, headed by the bishop of Rome. The normal role of a bishop is to lead a diocese.