The Litany for Ordinations

<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.=

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.=

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[[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.=]]

[[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.=

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*For those in positions of public trust [especially &mdash.], 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 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.=

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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.*

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*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. (Where 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 same 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.=

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*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 <page 554> 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 the 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 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 "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." When they have laid their 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.*

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*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.*

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<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 &mdash. Church [of] &mdash..

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 &mdash., on the &mdash. day of &mash., 19&mdash., and in the &mdash. year of my consecration.

(Signed) &mdash.

Bishop of &mdash..

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*Concerning the Service*

*This order is for use when a priest is being instituted and inducted as the rector of a parish. It may also be used for the installation of deans and canons of cathedrals, or the inauguration of other ministries, diocesan or parochial, including vicars of missions and assistant ministers. Alterations in the service are then made according to circumstances.*

*The chief minister is normally the bishop; but, if necessary, a deputy may be appointed. The bishop, when present, is the chief celebrant of the Eucharist. In the bishop's absence, a priest being inducted is the chief celebrant.*

*Other priests, if any, who serve in the same congregation also stand with the chief celebrant at the Altar, and deacons assist according to their order.*

*Lay persons from the congregation read the Old Testament Lesson and the Epistle, and perform other actions as indicated in the rubrics. A deacon or priest reads the Gospel. Other clergy of the diocese participate in this celebration as an expression of the collegiality of the ministry in which they share.*

*Ministers of other Churches may appropriately be invited to participate.*

*The new minister, if a deacon, should read the Gospel, prepare the elements at the Offertory, assist the celebration at the Altar, and dismiss the congregation.*

*A lay person being instituted should read one of the Lessons and assist where appropriate.*

*Additional Directions are on page 564.*

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