The ordination rites are typically performed in Latin, except for the questioning and adminitions, which may be said in English. The English translation of the complete ordination rites for Deacons and Priests, and a portion of the consecration rite for Bishops is below. For the ordination rite in Latin as used from the Pontificale Anglicanum or the Ordinale, see this page. THE ORDINATION OF DEACONS The Bishop sits at the faldstool with mitre and crosier. Those to be promoted to the Order of the Diaconate are called by the Archdeacon, saying: Let them come forth who are to be or-dained Deacons. And next each may be called by name by the notary. With the candidates therefore prepared in amice, alb, cincture, and maniple, and holding the stole in the left hand and dalmatic over the left arm, and kneeling before the Bishop, the Arch-deacon offering them to the Bishop, says: RIGHT (or Most) Reverend Father, our holy mother the Church requests that thou wouldst ordain the Subdeacons here pre-sent to the office of Deacon. The Bishop questions, saying: Dost thou know them to be worthy? The Archdeacon responds: As far as human frailty allows to know, I know and I testify that they are worthy of the charge of this office. And the Bishop says: Thanks be to God. The Bishops proceeds to their ordination. First the Bishop, sitting with the mitre, announces to the clergy and to the people, saying: BY the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose the Sub-deacons here present for the order of Deacon. If anyone has anything against them, let him confidently come forward and speak in the presence of God and for the sake of God. However, let him be mindful of his condition. And, some sort of pause having been made, turning his words to the ordinands, admonishes them, saying: DEARLY beloved sons, about to be pro-moted to the order of Levites, consider well to what an exalted rank you rise in the Church. The office of the deacon is to assist at the altar, to baptize, and to preach. Under the Old Law, indeed, the one tribe of Levi was chosen out of the twelve tribes, that it should attend with special devotion to the Tabernacle of God and to its sacrifices according to a perpet-ual rite. So great was the dignity bestowed upon it that no one, except of this tribe, could rise to hold an office in the per-formance of that divine worship. Thus by some great hereditary privilege it deserved but to be and to be called the tribe of the Lord. Today, dearly beloved sons, you receive their name and their office. You are chosen for the service of the Taberna-cle of the Testimony, that is, the Church of God, in the Levitical office. The Church, always ready for battle, wages an unceasing warfare against her enemies, as the Apostle says: "Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against prin-cipalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places." It is your duty to uphold and defend this Church of God, even as the Tabernacle, with the armor of holiness, by divine preaching and perfect example. Levi signi-fies added, or lifted up. You, dearly be-loved sons, who receive your name from an office of paternal inheritance, be lifted up above the desires of the flesh and earthly passions which war against the soul. Be clean and undefiled, pure and chaste, as it behooves ministers of Christ and dispensers of the mysteries of God, that you may worthily be added to the number of those who have ecclesiastical rank and deserve to be the inheritance and the beloved tribe of the Lord. And since you are co-ministers and cooperate in the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord, keep yourselves proof against every allurement of the flesh, as the Scripture says: "Be ye clean, you that carry the ves-sels of the Lord." Remember that Blessed Stephen was elected by the apostles for this office, because of his eminent chas-tity. Take care to interpret the gospel by living works to those to whom you are preaching so that it may be said of you: "Blessed are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things." Have your feet shod with the examples of the saints in the propagation of the gospel of peace. May the Lord grant it to you by His grace. R. Amen. Then, the Subdeacons prostrate themselves, and, with the Bishop kneeling before his faldstool, the Litany of the Saints and Veni Creator Spiritus are sung. The ordinands are blessed kneeling by the Bishop. LET common supplication and united prayer continue, that these men, who are prepared for the ministry of deaconship, may, through the prayer of the whole Church, shine in the order of Levitical bene diction, distinguish themselves by a spiritual life and show forth the grace by which they have been sanctified, through the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God world without end. R. Amen. Then rising with the mitre the Bishop, standing towards the ordinands, says, reading in a high voice: LET us pray, dearly beloved brethren, God, the Father Almighty, that He may gra-ciously pour out His grace upon and bless these His servants whom He deigns to assume into the office of deaconship, and in His goodness preserve in them the gifts of the ordination to which they are admit-ted. May He graciously hear our prayers and by His loving assistance bring to perfection what we are about to adminis-ter, and may He by His blessing sanctify and strengthen them, whom according to our knowledge we consider worthy to be assigned to the celebration of the sacred mysteries. Through His only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with Him and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God: Then, the mitre having been removed, with hands extended before his breast, he says: V. Per omnia sæcula sæculorum. (World without end.) R. Amen. V. Dominus vobiscum. (The Lord be with you.) R. Et cum spiritu tuo. (And with thy spirit.) V. Sursum corda. (Lift up your hearts.) R. Habemus ad Dominum. (We lift them up unto the Lord.) V. Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro. (Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.) R. Dignum et justum est. (It is meet and right so to do.) IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places render thanks unto thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, who givest honors, assignest rank, and bestow-est offices. Abiding in Thyself, Thou renewest all things and disposest all things through Thy Word and Power and Wis-dom, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. With eternal providence dost Thou pre-pare and dispense in due time what is needful. Thou hast adorned with a variety of heavenly gifts Thy Church, which is His body. Its members are distinct, but Thou hast united them by a wonderful law which governs its whole structure. Thus Thou makest it to grow and to expand, and Thy temple to enlarge. Thou hast ordained that those who are in charge of the sacred ministry should serve Thy holy name in three orders. So of old, the sons of Levi were chosen as faithful guardians to devote their lives to the sacred mysteries celebrated in Thy house and to possess as their abiding portion the heritage of a blessing which was to endure forever. Look down graciously, O Lord, also on these Thy servants whom we, amid humble prayer, ordain to the office of deacon, that they may serve Thy holy altars. As men without the re-sources of divine perception and su-preme understanding, we judge of their lives so far as we are able. But what is unknown to us, does not escape Thee, O Lord; and what is hidden does not de-ceive Thee. Thou knowest the secrets; Thou searchest the hearts. Thou art able to examine their lives with heavenly dis-cernment, by which Thou always pre-vailest, both to cleanse from sin and to grant what is to be accomplished. Here the Bishop alone, extending his hands, places them upon the head of each to be ordained, saying to each: RECEIVE the Holy Ghost, unto power and to resist the devil and his temptations. In the name of the Lord. Then, extending his hands as at the Preface, he says the words of the form of the sacrament. SEND forth upon them, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the Holy Ghost that they may be strengthened by Him, through the gift of Thy sevenfold grace, unto the faithful discharge of Thy service. May the pattern of all virtue abound in them, modest authority, constant propriety, the purity of innocence, the observance of spiritual discipline. Let Thy precepts shine forth in their lives so that, by the example of their holiness, the faithful may be aroused to holy imitation. May they prize above all things the testimony of a good conscience, persevere firm and steadfast in Christ, an by Thy grace make them-selves worthy to rise in due succession from a lower to a higher order. Then joining his hands, he says: Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who with Thee liveth and reig-neth in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen. After this the Bishop, sitting with the mitre, on each ordinand genuflecting before him, places the stole, which each has in his hand, successively upon the left shoulder, saying to each: RECEIVE the spotless stole from the hand of God, fulfill thy ministry; for God is powerful to increase His grace unto thee, who liveth and reigneth world without end. R. Amen. Making over each of them the sign of the cross afetr placing the stole; and the ministers turn back the tops of the stole and binds them over the right shoulder. After this the Bishop, taking the dalmatic, dresses each with it successively, until the shoulders, and thus it is done until the last, whom he dresses totally; and this, if there be only one dalmatic. But if each have their own, then each is dressed totally, saying to each: MAY the Lord clothe thee with the garment of salvation and the vesture of gladness, and may the dalmatic of justice ever encompass thee. In the name of the Lord. R. Amen. Finally the Bishop takes and gives to each the book of Gospels, which they touch with the right hand, saying: RECEIVE the power to read the Gospel in the Church of God, both for the living and for the dead. In the name of the Lord. R. Amen. Which having been done, the Bishop standing turning to the altar says, without the mitre: Let us pray. The Ministers say: Flectamus genua. (Let us bend the knee.) Levate. (Arise.) And turning to the ordained, he says: HEAR, O Lord, our prayers, and send forth upon these Thy servants the Spirit of Thy blessing, so that enriched with the heavenly gift they may be able to earn the favor of Thy Majesty and give to others the example of a virtuous life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God world without end. R. Amen. Oremus. (Let us pray.) HOLY Lord, Father of faith, hope and grace, Rewarder of progress: everywhere in heaven and on earth dost Thou em-ploy the services of angels and scatter the works fo Thy will throughout the uni-verse: vouchsafe to enlighten also these Thy servants by love of spiritual things so that, ready for Thy service, they may as irreproachable ministers join Thy holy altars. May they grow in purity through Thy grace, and be worthy of the rank of those seven men whom the apostles elected under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and of whom Stephen was the chief and the leader. Adorned with all virtues which Thy service calls for, may they be pleasing to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God world without end. R. Amen. Then, when it be time, one of the newly ordained deacons wearing the dalmatic says the Gospel. And the ordained immediately, having been prompted by the Archdeacon, return to their places. ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD The Bishop is seated after the Sermon on the faldstool, which has been placed for him at the middle of the altar. He is wearing the mitre and holding the crosier. The candidates are vested in amice, alb, maniple, and stole worn in the manner of a deacon. Over the left arm they carry a folded chasuble, the vestment of priesthood; and in the right hand the white linen cloth/towel, used later to bind their hands. The Archdeacon summons the ordinands: Let those who are to be ordained to the order of priesthood come forward. Their names may be read out one by one by the notary. They arrange themselves before the Bishop and kneel. Now the Archdeacon presents the candidates to the Bishop, saying: RIGHT (or Most) Reverend Father, our holy Mother the Church requests that thou wouldst ordain these Deacons here pre-sent to the burden of the Priesthood. The Bishop inquires: Dost thou you know if they are worthy? The Archdeacon replies: As far as human frailty allows one to know, I am certain and I testify that they are worthy to undertake the burden of this office. The Bishop says: Thanks be to God. The Bishop addresses the clergy and the people as follows: MY dear brethren, since the captain of a ship and its passengers alike have reason to feel safe or else in danger on a voyage, they ought to be of one mind in their common interests. Not without reason, then, have the fathers decreed that the people too should be consulted in the choice of those who are to be raised to the ministry of the altar. For sometimes it happens that one or another person has knowledge about the life and conduct of a candidate that is not generally known. And the people will necessarily be more inclined to be loyal to a priest if they have given consent to his ordination. As far as I can judge, the conduct of these deacons, who with God's help are to be ordained to the priesthood, is commendable and is pleasing to God. In my opinion, then, they are deserving of being promoted to a higher honor in the Church. Yet it is well to consult the people as a whole, rather than to rely on one or a few, whose ap-proval might be a consequence of partiality or of misjudgment. Be perfectly free, then, to say what you know about the conduct and character of the candidates and what you think of their fitness. But let your approval of their elevation to the priesthood be based more on their merits than on your own affection for them. Consequently, if anyone has anything against them, let him for God's honor and in God's name come forward and sin-cerely speak his mind. Only let him remember his own state. After a brief pause the Bishop continues, addressing himself now in exhortation to the candidates: MY dear sons, who are about to be conse-crated to the office of the priesthood, endeavor to receive that office worthily, and once ordained, strive to discharge it in a praiseworthy manner. A priest's duties are to offer sacrifice, to bless, to govern, to preach, and to baptize. So high a dig-nity should be approached with great awe, and care must be taken that those chosen for it are recommended by eminent wis-dom, upright character, and a long-standing virtuous life. Thus it was that when the Lord commanded Moses to choose as his helpers seventy men from the whole tribe of Israel, to whom He would impart the gifts of the Holy Spirit, He said to him: "Choose the ones whom thou knowest to be elders of the people" (Num 11.16). It is you yourselves who are prefigured in these seventy elders, if now, by the help of the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, you are faithful to the Ten Commandments, and display soundness and maturity in knowledge and in action. Under the same kind of sign and figure, our Lord, in the New Law, chose the seventy-two disciples, and sent them be-fore Him two by two to preach. Thus He taught us both by word and by deed that the ministers of His Church should be perfect both in faith and in works; in other words, that their lives should be founded on the twofold love of God and of neighbor. Strive, then, to be such, that by God's grace you may be worthy of being chosen to assist Moses and the twelve apostles, that is, the Bishops who are prefigured by Moses and the apostles. Then indeed is Holy Church surrounded, adorned, and ruled by a wonderful variety of ministers, when from her ranks are consecrated Bishops, and others of lesser orders, priests, deacons, and subdeacons, each of a different dignity, yet comprising the many members of the one body of Christ. Therefore, my dear sons, chosen as you are by the judgment of our brethren to be consecrated as our helpers, keep yourselves blameless in a life of chastity and sanctity. Be well aware of the sacred-ness of your duties. Be holy as you deal with holy things. When you celebrate the mystery of the Lord's death, see to it that by mortifying your bodies you rid your-selves of all vice and concupiscence. Let the doctrine you expound be spiritual medicine for the people of God. Let the fragrance of your lives be the delight of Christ's Church, that by your preaching and example you help to build up the edifice which is the family of God. May it never come about that we, for promoting you to so great an office, or you, for tak-ing it on yourselves, should deserve the Lord's condemnation; but rather may we merit a reward from Him. So let it be by His grace. All: Amen. Then, the Deacons prostrate themselves, and, with the Bishop kneeling before his faldstool, the Litany of the Saints and Veni Creator Spiritus are sung. If there was a Diaconal ordination earlier, then the prostration is done during that time. THE LAYING ON OF HANDS When the litany is ended the candidates rise and go in pairs to kneel before the Bishop. The Bishop places both his hands on the head of each candi-date in turn, without saying anything. Priests may participate in the laying on of hands by standing around the candidate and extending their right hand over the candidate. The Bishop (wearing the mitre) now says the following prayer: MY brethren, let us implore God the Fa-ther almighty to multiply His heavenly gifts in these servants of His whom He has chosen for the office of the priest-hood. May they fulfill by His grace the office they receive by His goodness; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. Then the Bishop removes the mitre, turns to the altar, and says: Let us pray. The Ministers say: Flectamus genua. (Let us bend the knee.) Levate. (Arise.) Then the Bishop turns around to the ordinands and says: HEAR us, we pray, O Lord God, and pour out on these servants of yours the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the power of priestly grace. And now as we present them for consecration in your benign presence, may you sustain them forever by the bounty of your gifts. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, Here the Bishop extends his hands and chants or recites the conclusion to the preceding prayer and the following versicles: B: World without end. All: Amen. B: The Lord be with you. All: May He also be with you. B: Lift up your hearts. All: We have lifted them up to the Lord. B: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is meet and right so to do. IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places render thanks unto thee, O holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, the source of all honors and the dispenser of all dignities. Through thee all things make progress and receive their perma-nence. In accord with thy wise designs all rational creatures advance to a higher excellence. And in accord with this same principle the various grades of priests and the offices of Levites, instituted for sacred functions, did grow and develop. For after appointing chief priests to rule the people, thou didst select men of lesser degree and second rank to be their associates and their helpers. Thus in the desert thou didst propagate the spirit of Moses in the hearts of seventy judicious men, with whose help he was enabled to govern easily the count-less multitude. Thus too thou didst imbue Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron, with the abundant graces of their father, in order to assure a sufficient number of priests for the offering of saving sacrifices and the performance of the more com-mon sacred rites. By the same providence, O Lord, thou didst give the apostles of thy Son associate teachers of the faith, and by their help as preachers of a second rank the apostles made their voice heard unto the ends of the earth. Therefore, we beseech thee, Lord, to support us in our weakness with similar helpers, for inas-much as we are weaker, so much the more we stand in need of them. Almighty Fa-ther, we pray that thou wouldst bestow on these thy servants the dignity of the priest-hood. Renew in their hearts the spirit of holiness, so that they may be steadfast in this second degree of the priestly office received from thee, O God, and by their own lives suggest a rule of life to others. May they be prudent fellow-workers in our ministry. May they shine in all the virtues, so that they will be able to give a good account of the stewardship en-trusted to them. and finally attain the reward of everlasting blessedness. We ask this through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. All: Amen. Now the newly ordained priests go and kneel before the Bishop one by one. The Bishop is seated on the faldstool and is wearing the mitre. He takes the stole, until now worn by the newly ordained on the left shoulder, draws it over the right shoulder, and arranges it in the form of a cross over the chest (in the manner worn by a priest). As he does so he says to each one: TAKE thou the yoke of the Lord, for His yoke is sweet and His burden light. Next he invests each one with the chasuble. As he does so he says: TAKE thou the vestment of priesthood which signifies charity; for God is able to advance thee in charity and in perfection. The ordained adds: Thanks be to God. The Bishop rises, removes the mitre, and says the following prayer, during which all the others kneel: O GOD, the source of all holiness, whose consecration is ever effective, whose blessing is ever fulfilled, pour out on these thy servants, whom we now raise to the dignity of the priesthood, the gift of thy blessing. By their noble and exemplary lives let them prove that they are really elders of the people, and true to the norms laid down by Paul to Timothy and Titus. Let them meditate on thy law day and night, so that they may believe what they have read, and teach what they have believed, and practice what they have taught. May justice, constancy, mercy, courage, and all the other virtues be re-flected in their every way of acting. May they inspire others by their example, and hearten them by their admonitions. May they keep pure and spotless the gift of their high calling. For the worship of thy people may they change bread and wine into the body and blood of thy Son by a holy consecration. May they through persevering charity mature "unto the perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ," and rise on the day of the just and eternal judgment of God with a good conscience, true faith, and the full gifts of the Holy Spirit. We ask this through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. All: Amen. THE ANOINTING OF HANDS Afterwards the Bishop rises and sits on the faldstool (wearing the mitre). He removes his gloves but puts the episcopal ring back on his finger. The gremiale is placed over his knees. The ordained come forward and one by one kneel before the Bishop. He then takes the Holy Chrism and anoints both of their hands which they hold together palms upward. He anoints the inside of the hands, tracing a cross from the thumb of the right hand to the index finger of the left, and from the thumb of the left hand to the index finger of the right. He says as he performs the anointings: MAY it please thee, O Lord, to consecrate and sanctify these hands by this anointing and our blessing. R: Amen. He continues: That whatever they bless may be blessed, and whatever they consecrate may be consecrated in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. R: Amen. Then the Bishop closes or joins together the hands of the ordained. The latter, keeping his hands joined, goes to the side of the altar where one of the assistants of the Bishop binds the consecrated hands together with a white cloth, leaving the fingers free. Each of the ordained goes back to his place. The Bishop cleanses his fingers with a piece of bread. PRESENTATION OF THE SACRED VESSELS The Bishop now presents each of the ordained with a chalice containing wine and water and a paten upon it with a host. These are placed upon the joined, bound hands of the priest. During this ceremony the Bishop says: RECEIVE thou the power to offer sacrifice unto God, and to celebrate Masses for the living and the dead, in the name of the Lord. R: Amen. Having cleansed his hands the Bishop goes to the throne or to the faldstool at the epistle side. Mass is resumed with the Offertory. CONCELEBRATION OF THE MASS From now on all the newly ordained priests pray the Mass along with the Bishop, saying all prayers aloud, even those usually said in a low voice. They are given seats as convenient, but should not crowd the altar or be upon the predella. They receive the kiss of peace from the Bishop at the usual time. At holy communion the ordained receive the host with their own hands. They then may receive wine, but not from the chalice which the Bishop has consecrated, but from another containing ordinary wine. One of the assisting priests holds a chalice and a purificator in readi-ness for this purpose. CHARGE TO NEW PRIESTS Those who have been ordained priests should say, after their first Mass, three other Masses: one of the Holy Ghost, another of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the third one for the faithful departed. They should further pray during the masses to almighty God for their Bishop. CONSECRATION OF BISHOPS The ideal days for consecration of a Bishop are Sundays, Feasts of Apostles, or other major feasts. However, any day on which an ordination is permitted is acceptable. The mass is of the day, with the prayers for Consecration of a Bishop added as a commemora-tion. The Elected Bishop concelebrates the mass from the Offertory through the Ablutions inclusive from the Epistle horn of the altar, using a second missal. He makes all the motions of the Consec-rator that do not involve holding an item (such as the chalice), except that he does not take the crosier and turn to the people for the absolution and comfortable words. Neither does he say the Ecce Agnus Dei. He genuflects at the elevations with the Consecrator, but does not raise his hands or another host (he does not have a second host or chalice). At the minor elevation, he says the words, but does not make the motions. All signs of the cross and other actions of the Elect are directed towards the chalice and paten in the center of the altar. After the Consecrator receives the Sacred Host, he takes a host on the paten to the Elected Bishop, who receives the host by his own hand. After the Consecrator receives the Precious Blood, including the particle, he leaves a bit of the Precious Blood in the chalice and takes it to the Elect, who receives it by his own hand. The Elect keeps his thumb and forefinger joined on each hand as usual from the time he receives the host, and then performs the Second Ablution after the Consecra-tor. The Elect processes in purple cassock and rochet, without mozzetta, carrying the purple biretta, immediately before the Sacred Ministers. The vestments and pontificalia for the Elected Bishop are arrayed in a suitable location, either upon a low altar or on a table on the Epistle side, in the Sacntuary. These are: Mitre, pectoral cross, stole, maniple, episcopal ring, pontifical gloves, pontifical dalmatic, chasuble, prelatial alb, cinc-ture, and crosier. The Elected Bishop may be attended by two other Bishops or senior prelates, vested in cope and, if Bishops, the mitre. He may also have a suitable number of Chaplains and other attendants vested in choir dress suitable to their rank. After the Sermon, the Consecrator moves to the faldstool before the altar and sits with the mitre and crosier. The Elected Bishop moves, with his attendants, to the Epistle side, and the senior assisting Bishop (else the senior assisting prelate, or the Archdeacon, if there are no assisting Bish-ops or Prelates) prepares to announce him to the Consecrator. At this time, the Elect does not wear the biretta. Also, none of his assistants wear the mitre or biretta at this time. Senior Assisting Bishop: MOST Reverend father, our Holy Mother the Catholic Church prayeth thee to elevate this Priest here present to the order of the Episco-pate. Consecrator: Have ye the Apostolic mandate? Senior Assisting Bishop: We have. Consecrator: Thanks be to God. The Consecrator, holding the Book of the Gospels open on his lap with both hands, with the lower part of the book turned towards the Elect, accepts from him the fulfillment of this oath, with the Elect still kneeling before him saying: SO help me God and these Holy Gospels of God. And touching the very text of the Gospels with both hands, then, not before, the Consecrator says: Thanks be to God. Then the Consecrator reads to the Elect and to the Assisting Bishops (seated in their places with the mitre) the following examination, which always ought to be read just as it appears, in the singular, even if several are being examined together. EXAMINATION The Consecrator asks: Wilt thou teach, by word and example, those things which thou discernest from divine Scriptures to the people for whom thou art about to be ordained? The Elect responds. I will. Question: Wilt thou keep thy ways from every evil, and as far as thou art able, God being thy helper, wilt thou change them towards every good? R. I will. Question: Wilt thou, with God's help, observe and teach chastity and sobriety? R. I will. Question: Wilt thou always be given over to divine matters, and estranged from earthly matters and disgraceful profits, as far as human fraility shall permit you? R. I will. Question: Wilt thou observe humility and patience in yourself, and teach others to do as well? R. I will. Question: Wilt thou be approachable and compassionate to the poor, to strangers, and to all who are in need, for the sake of Lord's Name? R. I will. Then the Consecrator says to him: MAY the Lord grant thee all these, and other goodly things; and may he preserve thee and strengthen thee in every good-ness. All respond: Amen. Question: Dost thou believe, according to thy understanding and the capacity of thy perception, in the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; One Almighty God and Deity complete in the Holy Trinity; co-essential, consubstantial, co-eternal and co-omnipotent; of one will, power and majesty; maker of all creatures; from whom, through whom and in whom all things which are in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, corporeal and spiri-tual? R. I assent and so believe. Question. Dost thou believe that each person in the Holy Trinity is one God, true, full and perfect? R. I do believe. Question. Dost thou believe that the very Son of God, the Word of God eternally born of the Father, consubstantial, co-omnipotent, and co-equal to the Father in all things in His divinity; born in time through the Holy Spirit to Mary ever Virgin, with a rational soul and having two wills: one eternal from the Father, the other temporal from His mother; that He is True God and true man, in both natures distinct and perfect, neither adopted nor ghostly, but the one and only Son of God in and from two natures yet in the singularity of one person; that He is unsusceptible to pain and immortal owing to His divinity, but in His humanity, for us and for our salvation, He suffered true torment of the flesh, was buried, and on the third day He rose again from the dead in a true resurrection of the flesh; that on the fortieth day after the resurrection, with His spirit and the flesh in which He had arisen, He ascended into heaven and took his place at the right hand of the Father, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead; and that He shall render to each man according to his works, whether such be good or evil? R. I assent and absolutely believe it to be so. Question. Dost thou further believe that the Holy Ghost is full, perfect and true God, proceeding from the Father and the Son; co-equal and co-essential, co-omnipotent and co-eternal to the Father and the Son in all things? R. I do believe. Dost thou believe that this Holy Trinity is not three Gods but one God, almighty, eternal, invisible and unchangeable? R. I do believe. Question. Dost thou believe that the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church is the one true Church, in which is conferred one true baptism, and true remission of all sins? Question. Dost thou also anathematize every heresy raising itself against this Holy Catholic Church? R. I anathematize them. Question. Dost thou also believe in the true resurrection of the same flesh which thou now bearest, and in eternal life? R. I do believe. Question. Dost thou also believe that God, the Lord almighty, is the sole author of the New and Old Testaments, of the Law, and of the Prophets and the Apostles? R. I do believe. Afterwards the Consecrator says: DEAREST brother in Christ, may this faith be increased in thee by the Lord, to thy true and eternal happiness. All respond: Amen. Then, giving up the mitre and crosier, the Bishop stands and repeats the Collect for the Consecration of a Bishop (which was said earlier under one ending with the Collect of the Day), facing the altar as usual: ATTEND to our prayers, Almighty God, so that that which is to be done by the ministry of our lowliness might be fulfilled by the effect of thine excellence. Through. R. Amen. Then taking the mitre and facing the Elect and the people, he says: DEARLY beloved brethren, let us pray that the provident generosity of Almighty God might grant an abundance of His grace to this Elect for the benefit of the Church. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. And thereupon the Consecrator kneels at the faldstool, and the assisting Bishops at their own seats, wearing their mitres; but the Elect prostrates himself before the altar. The Litany of the Saints is chanted. When the phrase Ut omnibus fidelibus defunctis, etc. R. Te rogamus, audi nos. is said, the Consecrator rises from his kneeler and turns towards the Elect, and holding the pastoral staff in his left hand, he says first, under the tone of the Litany: THAT it may please thee to bless this Elect. R. We beseech thee, hear us. THAT it may please thee to bless and hal low this Elect. R. We beseech thee, hear us. THAT it may please thee to bless, hal low and conse crate this Elect. R. We beseech thee, hear us. Then the Consecrator once again kneels, and the cantor continues the litany all the way to the end. Which being finished, all rise; and with the Consecrator standing before the faldstool, wearing his mitre, the Elect kneels before him. LAYING ON OF HANDS The Consecrator stands wearing the mitre in front of the Elect. The Elect is kneeling before the faldstool, facing the altar. The Consecrator places both hands on the head of the Elect and says the following words: RECEIVE the Holy Ghost. Co-Consecrators have arrayed themselves around the Elect as possible, and those who may lay one or two hands upon the Elect's head do so; the rest extend their right hand toward him. Then the Consecrator gives up the mitre and says, standing: BE pleased with our prayers, O Lord; and with the horn of priestly grace inclined over this thy servant, pour out the power of thy bless ing upon him. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, ever one God: Then, with his hands extended before his breast, he says: B: World without end. All: Amen. B: The Lord be with you. All: May He also be with you. B: Lift up your hearts. All: We have lifted them up to the Lord. B: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is meet and right so to do. IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, source of all dignities which serve thy glory through the sacred orders. O God, who by speech of intimate mystery did command thy servant Moses, among the other patterns of heavenly culture, estab-lishing also the habit of priestly vesture, that the chosen one, Aaron, be clothed in a mystic garment during the sacred rites, so that generations to come might grasp the sense of meaning from the examples of their ancestors, lest the knowledge of thy instruction be wanting to any age: and since among the ancients the very repre-sentation of signs inspired awe, while among us they would be more more cer-tain experiences of reality rather than an obscurity of forms: for the habit of that same earlier Priesthood is embellished by our understanding: and it is no longer honor that commits to us the Pontifical glory of vestments, but it is rather the splendor of souls: for even those things, which at that time would be admired by worldly gazes, demanded rather an ap-preciation of what they signified. And so we beseech thee, O Lord, that thou might bestow this grace upon this thy servant whom thou hast chosen for the ministry of the High Priesthood; so that, whatever those garments once signified in the brightness of gold, the brilliance of gems, and the variety of diverse ornamen-tation, this might be discerned in his char-acter and conduct. Fulfill in thy Priest the perfection of thy ministry; and sanctify him, clothed in the ornaments of perfect glory, with the dew of heavenly anointing. The Elect then retires and puts on the remainder of the full pontifical mass vestments, except for the mitre, gloves, ring, and crosier. Hymns may be sung during this time. The Consecrator sits at the faldstool with mitre and crosier. VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS When the Elect returns, the Veni Creator Spiritus is sung. All kneel. ANOINTING The Elect kneels before the Consecrator. The Consecrator, having removed the pontifical gloves and replaced the ring, anoints the forehead of the Elect with the Holy Chrism in the form of a cross, saying: IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. R. Amen. V. Peace be with thee. R. And with thy spirit. Then the palms are anointed as at the presbyteral ordination: MAY these hands be anointed with the sanctified oil and the chrism of sanctifi-cation, as Samuel anointed David to be King and Prophet; so may they be anointed and consecrated. In the name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, making the image of the Holy cross of Our Savior Jesus Christ, Who has redeemed us from death and led us to the kingdom of Heaven. Hear us, O loving, Almighty Father, Eternal God, and grant that we may obtain what we ask for. Through the same Christ Our Lord. R. Amen. The Consecrator and Elect clean their hands. The Bishop continues, standing without the mitre and facing the altar, turning to the Elect to make the sign of the cross, the following: MAY this, O Lord, flow abundantly upon his head; may it course down upon his mouth; may it sink into the uttermost parts of his whole body, so that the power of thy Spirit might replenish him inwardly as well as shield him outwardly. May constancy of faith, purity of love, and sincerity of peace abound in him. Through thy gift, may his feet be fair to carry a message of peace and to proclaim thy good works. Grant him, O Lord, a ministry of reconciliation in word and in deeds, in the power of signs and of won-ders. May his word and his preaching be, not in the convincing words of human wisdom, but rather in the display of spirit and power. Give him, O Lord, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, that he might not use for boastfulness that power which thou grantest for edification, and not for destruction. Whatever he shall bind upon the earth, may it be bound also in Heaven; and whatever he shall loose upon the earth, may it be loosed also in Heaven. Whose sins he shall retain, may they be retained; and whose sins he shall forgive, mayst thou forgive. Whoever shall curse him, may that one himself be ac-cursed; and whoever shall bless him, may he be filled with blessings. May he be the faithful and judicious servant whom thou thyself hast appointed, O Lord, over thy family, so that he might give them food in due season and offer every man per-fected. May he be diligent in care and fervent in spirit; may he despise pride; and may he love humility, and truth, and never forsake it, overcome by either flattery or fear. May he not regard light as darkness, or darkness as light; may he not say that evil is good, or good is evil. May he be indebted to both the wise and unwise, so that he might obtain fruit from the progress of all. Grant him, O Lord, the Episcopal Chair, in order to guide thy Church and the people assigned to him. Mayst thou be his authority, his power and his constancy. Multiply thy bless ing and grace upon him, so that, by thy gift, he might always be found suitable to implore thy mercy, and by thy grace he might always be devout. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. R. Amen. After this, the Bishop stands with the mitre and says: MAY God and the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath Himself of the Episcopate, bedew thee with chrism and with the liquor of mystic ointment, and make thee fruitful with the richness of spiritual bene diction: Whatsoever thou shalt bless may it be blessed, and whatsoever thou shalt sanctify may it be sanctified; and may the imposition of this consecrated hand, or thumb be profitable in all things unto salvation. R. Amen. IMPOSITION OF THE CROSIER Then he blesses the crosier in the usual manner, standing without the mitre, if it is not already blessed thusly, sprinkling it with holy water after: O GOD, who dost sustain human weakness, bless this staff; and in the clemency of Thy merciful kindness, operate inwardly in the manners of this Thy servant, what it outwardly designates. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Then, sitting with the mitre, the Consecrator places the crosier into the hands of the Elect, who is kneeling, and he says: RECEIVE the staff of the pastoral office, so that in the correction of vices thou mayst be lovingly severs, giving judgment without wrath, softening the minds of thy hearers whilst fostering virtues, not neglecting strictness of discipline through love of tranquillity. R. Amen. IMPOSITION OF THE RING If the episcopal ring is not blessed, he blesses it thusly, without the mitre, sprinkling it with holy water: CREATOR and Preserver of the human race, Giver of spiritual grace, Bestower of eternal salvation, do Thou send forth Thy blessing upon this ring; so that whosoever shall be adorned with this sign of holiest fidelity, it may avail him by the power of heavenly protection unto eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Then, sitting with the mitre, he places the ring on the right hand of the Elect, saying: RECEIVE the ring, the symbol of fidelity, in order that, adorned with unspotted faith, you may keep inviolably the Spouse of God, namely, His holy Church. R. Amen. IMPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF GOSPELS The Consecrator, sitting with the mitre, hands the Book of Gospels or entire Bible to the Elect, who remains kneeling, saying: RECEIVE the Gospel and go preach to the people committed to thee, for God is powerful to increase his grace in thee, who liveth and reigneth world without end. R. Amen. CONTINUATION OF THE MASS The Consecrator then says: Peace be with you. R. And with thy spirit. The mass continues as usual from the Offertory. The Elect concelebrates from the Epistle horn from a second missal, saying and doing all that the Consecrator does. However, only the Consecrator gives the Absolution. The Consecrator consumes the wine and particle as usual, but either leaves enough consecrated wine for the Elect or uses a second chalice with wine to be consecrated as well. The Elect is communicated first with the host, and then brought the wine. He takes both with his own hand. Then the rest are communicated as usual. The proper forms of the Canon for the Elect are given in the Propers. IMPOSITION OF THE MITRE The Bishop stands at the throne, faldstool, or before the altar before the Pontifical Blessing and blesses the mitre, himself not wearing the mitre, in the form as follows; he then sprinkles it with holy water: O LORD God, Father Almighty, whose goodness is wonderful and whose power immense, from whom is every best and every perfect gift, the ornament of all beauty, vouchsafe to bless and sanc-tify this mitre to be placed on the head of this Prelate Thy servant. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Then sitting at the throne or faldstool with the mitre, the Consecrator places the Elect's mitre on the head of the Elect, saying: WE, O Lord, place on the head of this Thy bishop and champion, the helmet of protection and salvation, so that his face being adorned and his head armed with the horns of both testaments, he may seem terrible to the opponents of truth, and through the indulgence of Thy grace may be their sturdy adversary, Thou Who didst mark with the brightest rays of Thy splendor and truth the countenance of Moses Thy Servant, ornamented from his fellowship with Thy word : and didst order the tiara to be placed on the head of Aaron thy high priest. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. IMPOSITION OF THE PONTIFICAL GLOVES Then the Bishop stands and blesses the pontifical gloves, if they are not already blessed; and then sprinkles them with holy water. O ALMIGHTY Creator, Who hast given to man fashioned after Thy image, hands notable for their formation, as an organ of intelligence for correct workmanship : which Thou hast commanded to be kept clean, so that the soul might worthily be carried in them and Thy mysteries worthily consecrated by them, vouchsafe to bless and sanc tify these hand coverings, so that whosoever of Thy ministers, the holy Bishops, shall humbly wish to cover their hands with these, Thy mercy shall accord to him cleanness of heart as well as of deed. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Then sitting with the mitre, the Bishop, first removing the ring, places the gloves on the hands of the Elect, and then replaces the ring, saying: ENCOMPASS, O Lord, the hands of this Thy minister with the cleanness of the new man who descended from Heaven, so that as Thy beloved Jacob, his hands covered with the skins of young goats, implored and received the paternal bene-diction, having offered to his Father most agreeable food and drink, so also this one may deserve to implore and to receive the benediction of Thy grace by means of the saving host offered by his hands. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who in the likeness of sinful flesh, offered himself to Thee for us. R. Amen. TE DEUM & CONCLUSION The Bishop returns to the throne or faldstool and the Elect returns to his place. All stand (Bishops without the mitre) for the Te Deum. (This is omitted if it is during a penitential season.) After the Te Deum, the Bishop stands at the throne or faldstool and says or sings the following antiphon: Let thy hand * be strengthened, and thy right hand exalted, justice and judgment are the preparation of Thy throne. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. All repeat the above antiphon. This having been sung, the Bishop continues: V. Dominus exaudi orationem meam. (Lord hear my prayer.) R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. (And let my cry come unto thee.) V. Dominus vobiscum. (The Lord be with you.) R. Et cum spiritu tuo. (And with thy spirit.) Oremus. (Let us pray.) O GOD, the Pastor and Ruler of all the faithful, look down in Thy mercy upon this Thy servant, whom Thou hast ap-pointed over Thy Church, and grant, we beseech Thee, that both by word and example, he may edify all those who are under his charge, so that with the flock intrusted to him, he may attain unto life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Here the Consecrator stands without mitre at the throne or faldstool. The Elected Bishop stands with mitre and crosier at his faldstool or in the center of the altar to give the Pontifical Blessing. The crosier is held in the left hand, and the right hand is held in front of the breast. At Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini, he makes the sign of the cross on himself. Alternatively, he may hold his right hand extended through the versicles and responses. This method of the Pontifical Blessing is used at any Pontifical Sung mass when the Bishop will give the Pontifical Blessing. PONTIFICAL BLESSING V. Sit nomen Domini benedictum. (Blessed be the name of the Lord.) R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in saecula. (Now and forever more.) V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. (Our help is in the name of the Lord.) R. Qui fecit coelum et terram. (Who hath made the heavens and the earth.) Raising and extending his right hand and bring-ing it back to the center of his breast, the Elect says: Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus. (May Almighty God bless you.) Making three signs of the cross over the people with the index and third fingers of the right hand (the fourth and fifth fingers being curled or closed), he says: Pa+ter, et Fi+lius, et Spiritus + Sanctus. (Father, + Son, + and Holy + Spirit) Then the Consecrator accepts the mitre and, standing at the throne or faldstool, says to the Elected Bishop, who is still standing with mitre and crosier: Ad multos annos. (Unto many years.) Then the mass concludes with the Last Gospel as usual. In the processional to the sacristy, the Elected Bishop walks immediately before the Consecrator.   [Common Prayer] [Main Page]     Entire Contents Copyright © 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church All Rights Reserved. The Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church is a trademark.