Holy Orders: For Deacons, Priests, Bishops
The Second Vatican Council stated:
Christ the Lord, high priest taken from among men (cf. Heb. 5:1-5), made the new people "a kingdom of priests to God his Father" (Rev. 1:6; cf. 5:9-10). The baptized, by regeneration and anointing of the Holy Spirit, are consecrated to be a spritiual house and a holy priestood, that through all the works of Christian men (and women) they may offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the perfection of him who has called them out of darkness into his marvelous light (cf. 1 Pet. 2:4-10). Therefore all the disciples of Christ, persevering in prayer, should present themselves as a sacrifice, living, holy and pleasing to God (cf. Rom. 12:1).
Though they differ essentially and not only in degree, the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood are nonetheless ordered to one another; each in its proper way shares in the one priesthood of Chirst (Lumen Gentium, 10).
Ordination of a Deacon
The council restored the ancient practice of ordaining permanent deacons to assist the bishop and the priest in preaching the word, baptizing, witnessing marriages, and ministering to the sick and the needy. Married as well as single men may be ordained permanent deacons. Transitional deacons - that is, those who are candidates for the priesthood - must make a public committment to celibacy. Otherwise, the ordination ceremony for permanent and transitional deacons is the same.
The ordination of a deacon takes place at a Mass on a Sunday or holy day when a large nunber of the faithful can attend. THe deacon is ordained after the Gospel.
After the presentation of the candidate and the consent of the congregation, the bishop gives the homily, in which he explains the dignity and the duties of the deacon's calling to the congregation and the candidate.
Then he examines him on his understanding and willingness to fulfill his vocation.
The deacon then promises obedience and reverence to the bishop and his successors.
After the singing of the Litany of the Saints, during which the candidate prostrates himself before the altar, the bishop lays his hands on the candidate, who kneels in front of him.
Then the bishop sings or says the prayer of consecration:
Almighty God,
be present with us by your power.
You are the source of all honor,
you assign to each his rank,
you give to each his ministry.
You remain unchanged
but you watch over all creation and make it new through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord:
he is your Word, your power, and your wisdom.
You foresee all things in your eternal providence
and make due provision for every age.
You make the Church, Christ's Body,
grow to its full stature as a new and greater temple.
You enrich it with every kind of grace
and perfect it with a diversity of members
to serve the whole body in a wonderful pattern of unity.
You established a threefold ministry of worship and service
for the glory of your name.
As ministers of your tabernacle you chose the sons of Levi
and gave them your blessing as their everlasting inheritance.
In the first days of your Church
under the inspiriation of the Holy Spirit
the apostles of your Son appointed seven men of good repute
to assist them in the daily ministry,
so that they themselves might be more free for prayer and preaching.
By prayer and the laying on of hands
the apostles entrusted to those chosen men the ministry of serving at tables.
Ordination of a Priest
The ordained minister whom the average person meets most often is the priest. The priest is ordinarily the pastor or vicar of the parish where Catholics participate in the Sunday Mass and the other sacraments.
The oridnation of a priest should take place at a Mass at which a large number of the faithful can attentd.
The ordiantion takes place after the Gospel of the Mass. After the people have indicated their acceptance of the candidate, the bishop addresses the poeple and the candidate.
This man, your relative and friend, is now to be raised to the order of priest. Consider carefully the position to which he is to be promoted in the Church.
It is true that God has made his entire people a royal preisthood in Christ. But our High Priest, Jesus Christ, also chose some of his followers to carry out publicly in the Church a priestly ministry in his name on behalf of mankind. He was sent by the Father, and he in turn sent the apostles into the world; through them and thier successors, the bishops, he continues his work as Teacher, Priest, and Shepherd. Priests are co-workers of the order of bishops. They are joined to the bishops in the priestly office and are called to serve God's people.
Our brother has seriously considered this step and is now to be ordained to the priesthood in the presbyteral order. He is to serve Christ the Teacher, Priest and Shepherd in his ministry which is to make his own body, the Church, grow into the people of God, a holy temple.
He is called to share in the priesthood of the bishops and to be molded into the likeness of Christ, the supreme and eternal Priest. By consecration he will be made a true priest of the New Testament, to preach the Gospel, sustain God's people, and celebrate the liturgy, above all, the Lord's sacrifice.
The bishop then addresses the candidate:
My son, you are now to be advanced to the order of the presbyterate. You must apply your energies to the duty of teaching in the name of Christ, the chief Teacher. Share with all mankind the word of God you have received with joy. Meditate on the law of God, believe what you read, teach what you believe, and put into practice what you teach.
Let the doctrine you teach be true nourishment for the people of God. Let the example of your life attract the followers of Christ, so that by word and action you may build up the house which is God's Church.
In the same way you must carry out your mission of sanctifying in the power of Christ. Your ministry will perfect the spiritual sacrifice of the faithful by uniting it to Christ's sacrifice, which is offered sacramentally through your hands. Know what you are doing and imitate the mystery you celebrate. In the memorial of the Lord's death and resurrection, make every effort to die to sin and to walk in the new life of Christ.
When you baptize, you will bring men and women into the people of God. In the Sacrament of Penance, you will forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church. With holy oil you will relieve and console the sick. You will celebrate the liturgy and offer thanks and praise to God throughout the day, praying not only for the people of God but for the whole world. Remember that you are chosen from among God's people and appointed to act for them in relation to God. Do your part in the work of Christ the priest with genuine joy and love, and attend to the concerns of Christ before yourown.
Finally, conscious of sharing in the work of Christ, the Head and Shepherd of the Church, and united with the bishop and subject to him, seek to bring the faithful together in a unified family and to lead them effectively, thorugh Christ and the Holy Spirit, to God the Father. Always remember the example of the Good Shepherd who came not to be served but to serve, and to seek out and rescue those who were lost.
The bishop then questions the candidate about his intentions and asks him to promise respect and obedience to him and his successor. Then the Litany of Saints is prayed while the candidate prostrates himself before the altar.
At the conclusion of the litany, the bishop prays:
Hear us, Lord our God,
and pour out upon this servant of yours
the blessing of the Holy Spirit
and the grace of the priesthood.
In your sight we offer this man for ordination:
support him with your unfailing love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The candidate goes to the bishop and kneels before him. The bishop lays his hands on the candidate's head, in silence.
Next, all the priests present lay their hands upon the candidate in silence. After the laying on of hands, the priests remain on either side of the biship until the prayer of consecration is completed.
The bishop then says the prayer of consecration over the candidate:
Come to our help,
Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God;
you are the source of every honor and dignity,
of all progress and stability.
You watch over the growing human family
by your gift of wisdom and pattern of order.
When you had appointed high priests to rule your people,
you chose other men next to them in rank and dignity
to be with them and to help them in their task;
and so there grew up
the ranks of priests and the offices of Levites,
established by sacred rites.
In the desert
you extended the spirit of Moses to seventy wise men
who helped him to rule the great company of his people.
You shared among the sons of Aaron
the fullness of their father's power,
to provide worthy priests in sufficient number
for the increasing rites of sacrifice and worship.
With the same loving care
you gave companions to your Son's apostles
to help in teaching the faith:
they preached the Gospel to the whole world.
Lord,
grant to us such fellow workers,
for we are weak and our need is greater.
Almighty Father,
grant to this servant of yours
the dignity of the priesthood.
Renew within him the Spirit of holiness.
As a co-worker with the order of bishops,
may he be faithful to the ministry
that he receives from you, Lord God,
and be to others a model of right conduct.
May he be faithful in working with the order of bishops
so that the words of the Gospel may reach the ends of the earth
and the family of nations,
made one in Christ,
may become God's one, holy people.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The newly ordained priest joins the other priests present in concelebrating the Mass with the bishop.
Ordination of a Bishop
Together with the pope and under his authority, bishops have been sent to continue through the age the work of Christ, the eternal High Priest. Christ gave the Apostles and their successors the power and command to teach all nations and to make all people holy in the truth. Priests and deacons cooperate with the bishops and extend their ministry.
The ordination of a bishop should take place on a Sunday or holy day when a large number of the faithful can attend, unless pastoral reasons suggest another day, such as the feast of an apostle.
The principal consecrator should be assisted by at least two other consecrating bishops, but it is fitting for all the bishops present together with the principal consecrator to ordain the bishop-elect.
The oridnation of the bishop takes place after the Gospel.
While all stand, the "Veni Creator Spiritus" or another approperiate hymn is sung.
After the reading of the Apostolic Letter from the Holy See, the people give their consent by saying, "Thanks be to God," or in some other way, according to local custom.
Then the principal consecrator addresses the clergy, people and the bishop-elect. He may use these words:
Consider carefully the position in thie Church to which our brother is about to be raised. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was sent by the Father to redeem the human race, in turn sent twelve apostles into the world. These men were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel and gather every race and people into a single flock to be guided and governed in the way of holiness. Because this service was to continue to the end of time, the apostles selected others to help them. By the laying on of hands which confers the sacrament of orders in its fullness, the apostles passed on the gift of the Holy Spirit which they themselves had received from Christ. In that way, by a succession of bishops unbroken from one generation to the next, the powers conferred in the beginning were handed down, and the work of the Savior lives in our time.
In the person of the bishop, with his priests around him, Jesus Christ, the Lord, who became High Priest forever, is present among you. Through the ministry of the bishop, Christ himself continues to procalim the Gospel and to confer the mysteries of faith on those who believe. Through the fatherly action of the bishop, Christ adds new members to his body. Through the bishop's wisdom and prudence, Christ guides you in your earthly pilgrimage toward eternal happiness.
Gladly and gratefully, therefore, receive our brother whom we are about to accept into the college of bishops by the laying on of hands. Respect him as a minister of Chirst and a steward of the mysteries of God. He has been entrusted with the task of witnessing to the truth of the Gospel and fostering a spirit of justice and holiness. Remeber the words of Christ spoken to the apostles: "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject the one who sent me."
The principal consecrator then addresses the bishop elect:
You, dear brother, have been chosen by the Lord. Remember that you are chosen from among men to act for men and women in relation to God. The title of bishop is one not of honor but of function, and therefore a bishop should strive to serve rather than to rule. Such is the cousel of the Master: The greater should behave as if he were the least, and the leader as if he were the one who serves. Proclaim the message whether it is welcome or unwelcome; correct error with unfailing patience and teaching. Pray and offer sacrifice for the people committed to your care and so draw every kind of grace for them from the overflowing holiness of Christ.
As a steward of the mysteries of Christ in the Church entrusted to you, be a faithful overseer and guardian. Since you are chosen by the Father to rule over his family, always be mindful of the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep and is known by them and who did not hesitate to lay down his life for them.
As a father and brother, love all those whom God places in your care. Love the priests and deacons who share with you the ministry of Christ. Love the poor and infirm, strangers and the homeless. Encourage the faithful to work with you in your apostolic task; listen willingly to what they have to say. Never relax your concern for those who do not yet belong to the one fold of Christ; they are commended to you in the Lord. Never forget that in the Catholic Church, made one by the bond of Christian love, you are incorporated into the college of bishops. You should, therefore, have a constant concern for all the churches and gladly come to the aid and support of churches in need. Attend to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit appoints you an overseer of the Church of God - in the name of the Father, whose image you personify in the Church - and in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, whose role of Teacher, Priest and Shepherd you undertake - and in the name of the Holy Spirit who gives life to the Church of Christ and supports our weakness with his strength.
The principal consecrator then questions the bishop-elect on his resolve to uphold the faith and to discharge his duties faithfully.
Then he invites the people to pray, all kneeling, except during the Easter season.
The bishop-elect prostrates himself while the Litany of the Saints is prayed.
The principal consecrator then lays his hands on the head of the bishop-elect, in silence. After him, all the bishops present do the same.
Then the principal consecrator places the open Book of the Gospels on the head of the bishop-elect; two deacons, standing at either side of the bishop-elect, hold the Book of the Gospels above his head until the prayer of consecration is completed.
Next, the principal consecrator, with his hands extended over the bishop-elect, sings or says the prayer of consecration:
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Father of mercies and God of all consolation,
you dwell in heaven,
you look with compassion on all that is humble.
You know all things before they come to be;
by your gracious word
you have established the plan of your Church.
From the beginning
you chose the descendants of Abraham to be your holy nation.
You established rulers and priests,
and did not leave your sanctuary without ministers to serve you.
From the creation of the world
you have been pleased to be glorified
by those whom you have chosen.
The follwoing part of the prayer is recited by all the consecrating bishops with hands joined:
So now pour out upon this chosen one
that power which is from you,
the governing Spirit
whom you gave to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ,
the Spirit given by him to the holy apostles,
who founded the Church in every place to be your temple
for the unceasing glory and praise of your name.
Then the principal consecrator continues alone:
Father, you know all hearts.
You have chosen your servant for the office of bishop.
May he be a shepherd to your holy flock,
and a high priest blameless in your sight,
ministering to you night and day;
may he always gain the blessing of your favor
and offer the gifts of your holy Church.
Through the Spirit who gives the grace of high priesthood
grant him the power to forgive sins as you have commanded,
to assign ministries as you have decreed,
and to loose every bond by the authority which
you gave to your apostles.
May he be pleasing to you by his gentleness and purity of heart,
presenting a fragrant offering to you,
through Jesus Christ, your Son,
through whom glory and power and honor are yours
with the Holy Spirit
in your holy Church,
now and for ever.
Amen.
After the prayer of consecration, the Book of Gospels is removed from the head of the new bishop.
The principal consecrator anoints the head of the new bishop with Chrism, saying:
God has brought you to share the high priesthood of Christ,
May he pour out on you the oil of mystical anointing
and enrich you with spirital blessings.
After washing his hands, the principal consecrator hands the Book of Gospels to the newly ordained bishop, saying:
Receive the Gospel and preach the word of God with unfailing patience and sound teaching.
Then he places the ring on the ring finger of the new bishop's right hand, saying:
Take this ring, the seal of your fidelity.
With faith and love protect the bride of God, his holy Church.
He places the miter on the new bishop's head in silence.
Lastly, he gives the pastoral staff to the new bishop, and says:
Take this staff as a sign of your pastoral office:
keep watch over the whole flock
in which the Holy Spirit has appointed you
to shepherd the Church of God.
After the new bishop receives the kiss of peace from all the bishops present, the Mass continues as usual.