Old Holy Roman Church of the English Rite: Document Archives

The following oaths and petitions are required, in the form as given, for spouses of candidates for Holy Orders and, when so permitted, intended spouses of certain clerics, by the bull Sacerdotes Matrimonio Coniuncti. These must both be taken in writing and in the prescribed ceremony before the ordaining Bishop.

The Oath for the Spouse of a Postulant for Minor Holy Orders

I, N. (Full name of the spouse), wife of N. (Postulant for Holy Orders), being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous consent for my aforementioned husband to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders and be ordained as a Minor Cleric in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief that my aforementioned husband is called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I affirm my support for him to receive this Sacrament. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders constitute the highest obligation of a man. Therefore, with the help of God, I pledge to support him in all aspects of his ministry, and pledge my loyalty, support, and obedience to Christ's Holy Catholic Church and this Patriarchate.

The Oath for the Spouse of a Postulant for the Diaconate

I, N. (Full name of the spouse), wife of N. (Postulant for Holy Orders), being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous consent for my aforementioned husband to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders and be ordained as a Deacon in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief that my aforementioned husband is called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I affirm my support for him to receive this Sacrament. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders constitute the highest obligation of a man. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders at the level of the Diaconate and above constitute an indelible mark on the soul. Therefore, with the help of God, I pledge to support him in all aspects of his ministry, and pledge my loyalty, support, and obedience to Christ's Holy Catholic Church and this Patriarchate.

The Oath for the Spouse of a Postulant for the Priesthood

I, N. (Full name of the spouse), wife of N. (Postulant for Holy Orders), being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous consent for my aforementioned husband to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders and be ordained as a Priest in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief that my aforementioned husband is called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I affirm my support for him to receive this Sacrament. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders constitute the highest obligation of a man. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders at the level of the Diaconate and above constitute an indelible mark on the soul, and that the Priesthood of Christ particularly is a marriage between the Priest and the Bride of Christ, the Holy Church. Therefore, with the help of God, I pledge to support him in all aspects of his ministry, and pledge my loyalty, support, and obedience to Christ's Holy Catholic Church and this Patriarchate.

The Oath for the Intended Spouse of a Cleric in Minor Holy Orders

I, N. (Full name of the intended spouse), intended wife of N. (Cleric in Minor Holy Orders), being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous understanding and support for the Sacred Ministry of my aforementioned intended husband, a Minor Cleric in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders constitute the highest obligation of a man. Therefore, with the help of God, I pledge to support him in all aspects of his ministry, and pledge my loyalty, support, and obedience to Christ's Holy Catholic Church and this Patriarchate.

The Oath for the Intended Spouse of a Deacon

I, N. (Full name of the intended spouse), intended wife of N. (Deacon), being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous understanding and support of the Sacred Ministry of my aforementioned intended husband, a Deacon in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders constitute the highest obligation of a man. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders at the level of the Diaconate and above constitute an indelible mark on the soul. Therefore, with the help of God, I pledge to support him in all aspects of his ministry, and pledge my loyalty, support, and obedience to Christ's Holy Catholic Church and this Patriarchate.

The Oath for a Spouse of a Cleric Incardinating
The following is established in accordance with the law of Sacerdotes Matrimonio Coniuncti by the Patriarchal See

I, N. (Full name of the spouse), wife of N. (Cleric Incardinating), (here state the grade of the cleric), seeking incardination into this See, being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous understanding and support for my aforementioned husband to incardinate into this See as a (here state the grade of the cleric), validly ordained in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders constitute the highest obligation of a man. Therefore, with the help of God, I pledge to support him in all aspects of his ministry, and pledge my loyalty, support, and obedience to Christ's Holy Catholic Church and this Patriarchate.

Spousal Oaths for Clerics and Candidates for Holy Orders