Minor orders

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The minor orders were until 1972 a part of the clergy of the Latin rite Catholic Church. During the Counter-reformation, the Council of Trent decided to formally define the "Orders" of the clergy. After induction into the clerical state through the tonsure, a seminarian could receive the first four, which were the minor orders. They consisted of:

porter (or doorkeeper),
lector,
exorcist, and
acolyte.

These four were called "minor orders" because perpetual celibacy was not a requirement for them. If a seminarian quit the seminary before becoming a subdeacon, he could still get married. After receiving all the minor orders, a seminarian could receive the major orders.

None of the minor orders were a part of the sacrament of Holy Orders, but were instead viewed as preparatory offices. This system was abolished after the Second Vatican Council by Paul VI, though candidates for the priesthood must still receive the "ministries" of lector and acolyte before ordination. The duties formerly performed by members of the minor orders are now usually performed by the laity; see Catholic minister.

These orders are still bestowed upon Traditionalist Catholic seminarians as they prepare for the priesthood.

Eastern Christianity traditionally views the subdeacon as a minor order, unlike the practice of the west which considered it a major order. The other minor order is reader (lector). The minor order of porter is recognized but generally not given, and in some traditions the position of cantor is considered a distinct minor order. All of the rights and responsibilities of each minor order are viewed as contained in the priesthood, and so there is no sacramental obligation to receive every historical minor order before becoming a priest.