"The Sacrament of Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles continues to be excercised in the Church through the laying on of hands. This sacrament has three distinct degrees or 'orders': deacon, priest, and bishop. All three confer a permanent, sacramental character (1536)."

~ Catechism of the Catholic Church

"Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: 'You are my son; this day I have begotten you"; just as he says in another place: 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'" Hebrews 5:1-6

"We who have been called by the Lord should remember the words of the Apostle: I, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to lead a life worthy of your calling, in complete humility and gentleness, with patience, supporting one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Remain in the one Body only and the one Spirit as you have been called in the one hope.” -St. Basil