Holy orders in the
Catholic Church includes three orders:
bishop,
priest, and
deacon. The Church regards ordination as a
Sacrament. In the phrase "holy orders", the word "holy" simply means "set apart for some purpose." The word "order" designates an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ordination means legal incorporation into an ordo. In context, therefore, a
holy order is simply a group with a hierarchical structure that is set apart for ministry in the Church.