What are the three degrees of Holy Orders and their primary sacramental effect?

• A. Cardinals, bishops, deacons
• B. Bishops, priests, and deacons; their effect is to confer the grace to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments in persona Christi, enabling them to shepherd and serve the Church.
• C. Bishops, priests, monks
• D. Deacons, priests, lay catechists

Answer: (B)

The concept here is the structure and effect of Holy Orders. The three degrees are bishops, priests, and deacons. The primary sacramental effect is to confer a sacred character and grace that configures the ordained to Christ for service in the Church, enabling them to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments in persona Christi, so they can shepherd and serve the People of God. In practice, bishops have fullness of the order and govern and teach; priests share in the priesthood to preside at the Eucharist, forgive sins, and shepherd the faithful; deacons serve at the altar and in service roles, proclaim the Gospel, assist in liturgy, and witness marriages. Options that list non-ordained roles or incorrect groupings don’t fit, while the chosen description captures both the proper threefold order and the overarching grace given to those ordained.