The priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children.
Jesus Christ is the great High Priest of God; Christ is therefore the source of all true priesthood authority and power on this earth (Heb. 5– 10). Man does not take such priesthood power unto himself; it must be conferred by God through his servants (Heb. 5:4; D&C 1:38).
The priesthood is the office of the ministers of religion, who have been commissioned ("ordained") with the holy orders of the Catholic Church. Technically, bishops are a priestly order as well; however, in common English usage priest refers only to presbyters and pastors (parish priests).
Priesthood is the term for the office of a priest, a ritual expert learned in a special knowledge of the technique of worship and accepted as a religious and spiritual leader.
His priesthood is made present in a special way in the Church through the ministerial priesthood, conferred through the Sacrament of Holy Orders (1539, 1544, 1547, 1554).
The priesthood demands a life of sacrifice, as priests serve the Church and the People of God tirelessly each day. Let us wholeheartedly support this sacred vocation by praying earnestly for more good, holy, and faithful men to answer the call to become Catholic priests.
The origin of the universal priesthood extends back, as is known, to St. Peter, who declares the faithful, in their character of Christians, “a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices”, and “a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood” (I Peter, ii, 5, 9).
In this day and age why should I consider being a priest? The ordained priesthood or the vowed religious priesthood is a wonderful life of dedication and service to the people of God. You are not paid a lot of money. You live a pretty simple life. The joys you experience, however, are beyond measure.