Ss. Timothy and Titus: "to Timothy, my dear child"

stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.

-- 2 Tm 1:1-8

Thus the risen Christ, by giving the Holy Spirit to the apostles, entrusted to them his power of sanctifying: they became sacramental signs of Christ. By the power of the same Holy Spirit they entrusted this power to their successors. This "apostolic succession" structures the whole liturgical life of the Church and is itself sacramental, handed on by the sacrament of Holy Orders.

-- CCC 1087

Art: St. Timothy, 5th century, Fresco, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Roma