Marriage

“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.”(Catechism 1601)

Holy Orders

“Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to His apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, Presbyterate, and diaconate.”(Catechism 1536)

Religious or Consecrated Life

“The state of life which is constituted by the profession of the evangelical counsels, which while not entering into the hierarchical structure of the Church, belongs undeniably to the Church, belongs undeniably to her life and holiness.” (Catechism 914) This consists of eremitic life, Consecrated virgins and widows, Religious life, Secular institutes, Societies of apostolic life and Consecration and mission.