The Litany for Ordinations
For use at Ordinations as directed. On Ember
Days or other occasions, if desired, this Litany may be used for the Prayers
of the People at the Eucharist or the Daily Office, or it may be used
separately.
God the Father,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
We pray to you, Lord Christ.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth
and love, and be found without fault at the Day of your Coming,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all members of your Church in their vocation and
ministry, that they may serve you in a true and godly life,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For N., our Presiding Bishop, and for all bishops, priests, and
deacons, that they may be filled with your love, may hunger
for truth, and may thirst after righteousness,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For
N., chosen bishop (priest, deacon) in your Church,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
That he may faithfully fulfill the duties of this ministry, build
up your Church, and glorify your Name,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
That by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit he may be sustained
and encouraged to persevere to the end,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer. |
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For his family [the members of his household or community],
that they may be adorned with all Christian virtues,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer. |
For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that
our divisions may cease and that all may be one as you
and the Father are one,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may
preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost
their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and
forbearance may grow among nations and peoples,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those in positions of public trust [especially___________],
that they may serve justice and promote the dignity and
freedom of every person,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use
of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from
poverty, famine, and disaster,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer. |
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for
refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be
relieved and protected,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the
grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer. |
For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and
those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the
saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain
or grief, but life eternal,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of [the ever blessed Virgin Mary,
(blessed N.) and] all the saints, let us commend ourselves,
and one another, and all our life to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord our God.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
At ordinations, the Bishop who is presiding stands and says
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Bishop Let us pray.
The Bishop says the appointed Collect.
When this Litany is used on other occasions, the Officiant concludes
with a suitable Collect.
Additional Directions
At all Ordinations
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist may be according to Rite One or
Rite Two. In either case, the rubrics of the service of ordination are
followed. The Summary of the Law, the Gloria in excelsis, the Prayers of
the People after the Creed, the General Confession, and the usual
postcommunion prayer are not used.
At the Presentation of the Ordinand, the Declaration “I do believe the
Holy Scriptures...” is to be provided as a separate document to be
signed, as directed by Article VIII of the Constitution of this Church and
by the rubrics in each of the ordination rites. (When there are more
ordinands than one, each is to be presented with a separate copy for
signature.)
The hymn to the Holy Spirit before the Prayer of Consecration may be
sung responsively between a bishop and the congregation, or in some
other convenient manner.
If vestments or other symbols of office are to be dedicated, such blessing
is to take place at some convenient time prior to the service.
The following form may be used
V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
R. The maker of heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.
Let us pray.
Everliving God, whose power is limitless, we place before
you, with our praise and thanks, these tokens of your
servant’s ministry and dignity. Grant that N., who has been
called to leadership in your Church, and bears these signs,
may faithfully serve you and share in the fullness of your
life-giving Spirit; through the high priest and good shepherd
of us all, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At the Ordination of a Bishop
Following the Consecration Prayer, and while the new bishop is being
clothed with the vesture of the episcopate, instrumental music may be
played.
Following the presentation of the Bible, and the formula “Receive the
Holy Scriptures . . .” a ring, staff, and mitre, or other suitable insignia
of office may be presented.
During the Eucharistic Prayer, it is appropriate that some of the
consecrating bishops, and representative presbyters of the diocese, stand
with the new bishop at the Altar as fellow ministers of the Sacrament.
The newly ordained bishop, assisted by other ministers, distributes Holy
Communion to the people. When necessary, the administration may take
place at several conveniently separated places in the church.
After the pontifical blessing and the dismissal, a hymn of praise may be
sung.
The bishops who are present are not to depart without signing the Letters
of Consecration.
At the Ordination of a Priest
Reasonable opportunity is to be given for the priests present to join in the
laying on of hands.
The stole worn about the neck, or other insignia of the office of priest, is
placed upon the new priest after the entire Prayer of Consecration is
completed, and immediately before the Bible is presented. Afterwards,
other instruments or symbols of office may be given.
If two or more are ordained together, each is to have his own presenters.
The ordinands may be presented together, or in succession, as the bishop
may direct. Thereafter, references to the ordinand in the singular are
changed to the plural where necessary. The ordinands are examined
together.
During the Prayer of Consecration, the bishop and priests lay their hands
upon the head of each ordinand. During the laying on of hands, the
bishop alone says over each ordinand “Father, through Jesus Christ your
Son, give your Holy Spirit to N.; fill him with grace and power, and make
him a priest in your Church.” When they have laid their hands upon all
the ordinands, the bishop continues “May they exalt you, O Lord, in the
midst . . .”
A Bible is to be given to each new priest, and the words “Receive this
Bible . . .” are to be said to each one.
All the newly ordained take part in the exchange of the Peace, and join
the bishop and other priests at the Altar for the Great Thanksgiving.
Similarly, all the new priests break the consecrated Bread and receive
Holy Communion.
At the Ordination of a Deacon
The stole worn over the left shoulder, or other insignia of the office of
deacon, is placed upon the new deacon after the entire Prayer of
Consecration is completed, and immediately before the Bible is given.
If two or more are ordained together, each is to have his own presenters.
The ordinands may be presented together, or in succession, as the bishop
may direct. Thereafter, references to the ordinand in the singular are
changed to the plural where necessary. The ordinands are examined
together.
During the Prayer of Consecration the Bishop is to lay hands upon the
head of each ordinand, and say over each one “Father, through Jesus
Christ your Son, give your Holy Spirit to N.; fill him with grace and
power, and make him a deacon in your Church.” After laying hands
upon all the ordinands, the bishop continues “Make them, O Lord,
modest and humble . . .”
A Bible is to be given to each new deacon, and the words “Receive this
Bible . . .” are also to be said to each one.
After participating in the Peace, the deacons go to the Altar for the
Offertory. If there are many deacons, some assist in the Offertory and
others administer Holy Communion. One, appointed by the bishop, is
to say the dismissal.
When desired, deacons may be appointed to carry the Sacrament and
minister Holy Communion to those communicants who, because of
sickness or other grave cause, could not be present at the ordination.
If the remaining Elements are not required for the Communion of the
absent, it is appropriate for the deacons to remove the vessels from the
Altar, consume the remaining Elements, and cleanse the vessels in some
convenient place.
Letter of Institution of a Minister
N.N., Presbyter of the Church of God, you have been called to work
together with your Bishop and fellow Presbyters as a pastor, priest, and
teacher, and to take your share in the councils of the Church.
Now, in accordance with the Canons, you have been selected to serve
God in________________ Church [of]____________.
This letter is a sign that you are fully empowered and authorized to
exercise this ministry, accepting its privileges and responsibilities as a
priest of this Diocese, in communion with your Bishop.
Having committed yourself to this work, do not forget the trust of those
who have chosen you. Care alike for young and old, strong and weak,
rich and poor. By your words, and in your life, proclaim the Gospel. Love
and serve Christ’s people. Nourish them, and strengthen them to glorify
God in this life and in the life to come.
May the Lord, who has given you the will to do these things, give you the
grace and power to perform them.
Given under my hand and seal, in the city of_____________,
on the ___________ day of ___________, 19_____________, and in
the __________ year of my consecration.
(Signed)______________
Bishop of_______________. |
