What Is Ordination?
Ordination is the sacrament of holy orders. There are several religions that require a person to be ordained in order to pursue priesthood, ministry and more. Ordination is the process a candidate goes through to become a religious leader. Only an ordained person can perform a religious wedding ceremony.
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Priest
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Candidates seeking ordination in the Catholic Church must attend college and obtain a bachelor's degree. After college, they must attend a seminary for three years. Studies are focused in theology, which leads to a master of divinity degree.
Ordained Minister
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A minister is authorized by a church to perform functions such as wedding ceremonies, funerals and baptism. The requirements to become an ordained minister vary among different denominations. All denominations require a sense of "calling" in the candidate.
Buddhist Ordination
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Buddhist ordination is a voluntary act and does not need to be undertaken for life. There are a lot of variations to becoming a Buddhist monk. Some countries require the candidate undertake the 10 precepts in the Buddhist religion.
Judaism Ordination
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A rabbi will study Jewish theology at a seminary. Non-Orthodix Judaism allows women to become ordained. Conservative Jewish customs for ordination include an elaborate ceremony. At the ceremony there is a decree read to complete the ordination process.
Nontraditional Ordination
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Modern technology has lead to online ordination. The Universal Life Church offers a free ordination online. Other online ordination websites require a small fee, and some offer online courses.
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