BOOK OF OFFICES

Services for Certain Occasions
not provided for in the
Book of Common Prayer

Compiled by the Liturgical Commission
and commended for use
by General Convention

SECOND EDITION
1949

THE CHURCH PENSION FUND
New York

I AM sure my brother Bishops and other clergy have I felt the need of a revised book of offices providing services for various special occasions. Such a book was authorized by the General Convention of 1937 and is presented herewith. Its use in a Diocese is conditioned upon the approval of the Diocesan. We are indebted to the Liturgical Commission of General Convention for the work done in preparation of this book. It is hoped it will find a useful place in the work of the Church.

H. ST. GEORGE TUCKER
Presiding Bishop

May 3, 1939

Preface

THE Book of Offices has been compiled by the Liturgical Commission, and is published in accordance with the following resolution passed by the General Convention of 1937, viz.:
    “Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the House of Bishops approve of the publication for authorization by Bishops for use in their Dioceses the Book of Offices in process of preparation by the Liturgical Commission.”
    The character of the book is indicated by its subtitles. In the words of the Commission’s Report to Convention: “It is not a series of Offices such as would be found in the book called ‘The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory,’ which was recommended for use at the last Convention, Offices designed for devotional occasions; but rather a Book containing Offices for the many specific purposes which occur in the work of the Bishops and other Clergy: Offices for the Dedication of Buildings of one kind or another, or the Blessing of articles of Church furniture, and the like.” Much of the material in this book is taken from “Offices for Special Occasions,” which is published, as revised in 1916, by the Morehouse-Gorham Co. of New York.

For the Commission
JOHN W. SUTER
Secretary

January, 1940
 

Preface to the Second Edition

ADVANTAGE has been taken of this new edition to make extensive revision in the light of actual use. The Office of Commemoration, rarely used, has been omitted. Various offices, printed separately before, but of similar nature, have been combined under the Admission of Lay Ministers, the Founding of a Church, and the Blessing of Houses. New services for Admission to Communion of those already confirmed, the Blessing of Married Persons, the Order for the Adoption of Children, and the Litany for the Church, have been added.
    The Admission to Communion is a form in common use. The Blessing of Married Persons is adapted from the Scottish Book of Common Prayer. The Order for the Adoption of Children, already published by the Morehouse-Gorham Co. in pamphlet form, was authorized by the General Convention of 1946, and is reprinted here by permission of the publishers. The Installation of a Bishop is based on the form used in the Diocese of New York. The Founding and Opening of a Church adapt to modern use certain traditional ceremonies of the undivided Church.

For the Commission
MORTON C. STONE

Authorization

This second edition has been approved by the Standing Liturgical Commission.

H. McF. B. OGILBY, Secretary

February 15, 1949
 

¶ For use by the Bishop in admitting into the Communion of this Church persons already Confirmed in another part of the holy Catholic Church, not in communion with this Church.

¶ Such persons, having presented evidence of Baptism and Confirmation, after examination by the Minister as to their sincerity of purpose, and instruction in the differences between this Church and the Church from which they come, may receive the Holy Communion, but shall be admitted formally by the Bishop at his next visitation.

¶ If such persons are to be received at the time of Confirmation, they shall be presented, examined, and admitted after all have been confirmed, immediately before the Lord’s Prayer.

¶ The Candidates shall stand before the Bishop, sitting in his Chair, and the Minister presenting them shall say,

REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these persons, already Confirmed, to be admitted into the Communion of this Church.

¶ The Bishop, addressing the Candidates shall say,

DO you believe that this Church is a true part of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church?
    Answer. I do.
    Bishop. Do you promise to conform to the teaching, discipline, and worship of this Church?
    Answer. I do.

¶ Then the Candidates shall kneel severally before the Bishop, who shall take them by the right hand, saying,

N. I admit you into the Communion of this Church, and welcome you into our fellowship. May the Peace of the Lord be always with you; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

¶ When this order is used separately from the Confirmation service, the Bishop shall conclude with the Lord’s Prayer, any other suitable prayers desired, and the Blessing.
 

¶ This form may be used when the Priest is satisfied that the Marriage is in conformity with the Canon. No entry shall be made in the Parish Register.

¶ The Priest, standing before the Altar, with the Husband and Wife standing before him, shall say,

DEARLY beloved, forasmuch as you have been joined together in holy Matrimony, which is an honourable estate instituted of God, and have come hither to ask for the blessing of the Church; I require that you promise, by the help of God, to fulfil the obligations which Christian marriage demands.

¶ Then, addressing the Husband, the Priest shall say,

N. DOST thou promise to love this thy Wife, to comfort, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

¶ And the Husband shall answer,

I do.

¶ Then, addressing the Wife, the Priest shall say,

N. DOST thou promise to love this thy Husband, to comfort, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

¶ And the Wife shall answer,

I do.

¶ Then the Priest may bless the Ring or Rings, as follows.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whose blessed Son sanctified, with his presence, the marriage at Cana; Bless, we beseech thee, this ring, to be the token of the union of this man and woman in holy Matrimony; that ever growing in love, they may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favour unto their life’s end; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then, the Ring or Rings having been returned and replaced, the Priest shall say,

Let us pray.

¶ Then the Priest and Couple, still standing, shall say the Lord’s Prayer.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then the Priest shall say,

O ETERNAL God, creator and preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that they, living faithfully together, may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this ring is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then the Priest may add one or both of the following prayers.

O ALMIGHTY God, creator of mankind, who only art the well-spring of life; Bestow upon these thy servants, if it be thy will, the gift and heritage of children; and grant that they may see their children brought up in thy faith and fear, to the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, who hast so consecrated the state of Matrimony that in it is represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church; Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that they may love, honour, and cherish each other, and so live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and of peace; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then the Priest shall join their right hands together, and say,

    Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

¶ Then the Husband and Wife kneeling, the Priest shall add this Blessing.

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.
 

¶ The Minister shall stand at the entrance of the Chancel, facing the People. The foster Parents shall stand before him, with two Witnesses, one of whom shall hold the Child to be adopted. All shall stand throughout the Service.

¶ The Minister shall begin by saying the following Versicles with the People.

I BOW my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;
    Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
    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.
    Praise ye the Lord;
    The Lord’s Name be praised.

¶ Here may be sung the following Hymn.

OUR Father, by whose Name
    All fatherhood is known,
  Who dost in love proclaim
    Each family thine own,
Bless thou all parents, guarding well,
With constant love as sentinel,
The homes in which thy people dwell.

  O Christ, thyself a child
    Within an earthly home,
  With heart still undefiled,
    Thou didst to manhood come;
Our children bless, in every place,
That they may all behold thy face,
And knowing thee may grow in grace.

  O Spirit, who dost bind
    Our hearts in unity,
  Who teachest us to find
    The love from self set free,
In all our hearts such love increase,
That every home, by this release,
May be the dwelling place of peace.

¶ Then the Minister and People shall say responsively the following,

From Psalm 68. Justi epulentur.

LET the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;
  Let them also be merry and joyful.
    He is the Father of the fatherless, and defendeth the cause of the widows;
    Even God in his holy habitation.
    He setteth the solitary in families;
    The Congregation shall dwell therein.
    Praised be the Lord daily,
    Even the God that helpeth us, and poureth his benefits upon us.
    Thy God hath sent forth strength in thee;
    Stablish the thing, O God, that thou hast wrought in us.
    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.

¶ Then the Minister shall read the Gospel, first saying,

    Hear the words of the holy Gospel according to Saint Mark.
    Glory be to thee, O Lord.

The Gospel. St. Mark 9:33.

JESUS came to Capernaum: and being in the house 1 he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
    Praise be to thee, O Christ.

THE PROMISES

¶ Then the Minister shall ask the following Questions, the Parents alone making reply.

DO you desire to take this Child for your own?
  Answer. I do.
    Minister. Will you be to him a true Father and Mother, in spirit and in deed?
    Answer. I will, by God’s help.
    Minister. Will you show him love and understanding; give him comradeship and guidance; and treat him with patience and forbearance?
    Answer. I will endeavour so to do.
    Minister. Will you bring him up in the knowledge and love of the Lord, and of his holy Church?
    Answer. I will, God being my helper.

MAY our heavenly Father, who hath put it into your hearts to do all these things, grant you his grace to fulfil the same unto the end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then, if the Child be of sufficient years to answer for himself, the Minister shall say,

DO you desire to have this Man and this Woman for your Father and Mother, and to be their Child?
    Answer. I do.
    Minister. Will you love, honour, and help your Father and Mother?
    Answer. I will, by God’s help.

MAY God, who hath given you a good will, grant you his grace to perform the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE ADOPTION

¶ Then the Minister, taking the Child in his arms, or by the hand, shall give the Child to the Mother, saying,

AS God hath received us as his children, so now receive this Child as your own son; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

¶ Then the Father shall lay his hand upon the Child, saying,

MAY God, who hath redeemed us, bless this Child, and us: and may our Name be named upon him. Amen.

¶ Minister and People

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Thou wilt be a Father unto us;
And we shall be thy sons and daughters.
The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O GOD our Father, who makest us thy children by adoption and grace; Give thy blessing, we humbly beseech thee, to this family, who have now bound themselves one to another in thee, that dwelling together in holiness, they may be made perfect in love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

MAY God the Father, who hath adopted you as his children, grant you his grace; May God the Son, who dwelt in the home of Nazareth, fill you with his love; May God the Holy Ghost, who hath united you in one family, keep you in his peace; And may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with you, and remain with you always. Amen.
 

¶ All things being in readiness, a Priest shall present to the Bishop, sitting in his chair near the Holy Table, such as are to be set apart as Deaconesses, saying,

REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these women, to be set apart to the office and work of Deaconess.

¶ Then shall the Bishop say,

DECLARE, we pray you, unto those who are here gathered what the office and work of a Deaconess are.

¶ Then shall the Priest, addressing the People, say,

DEARLY beloved, that it is agreeable to the mind of Christ that women should do him service by offices of loving-kindness, we gather from Saint Paul, who saith to the Philippians, Help those women which laboured with me in the Gospel, and who also commendeth unto the Romans one Phoebe, a Deaconess of the Church which was at Cenchrea.
    Touching the duty of women set apart to this office and ministry, the Canons of the Church affirm that it is to assist the Ministry in the care of the poor and sick, in the religious training of the young and others, and in the work of moral reformation. That they may be duly appointed to such service, have these women come hither.

¶ Then shall the Bishop say,

BELOVED, we have good confidence that they who are now presented to be set apart to the office of Deaconess are competent thereto, for it hath been so certified unto us, as the Canons require, by them whose word we trust. Nevertheless, if there be any who can allege aught on account of which it is inexpedient that these persons be so set apart, let protest be now made openly and before all men.

¶ If no good reason be alleged by any why any should not be set apart, the following Lesson shall be read.

Romans 12.

¶ Then shall be said or sung Psalm 100, or the Magnificat.

Psalm 100. Jubilate Deo.

O BE joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
    Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; * we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
    O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; * be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
    For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
    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.

¶ Then, all kneeling, the Bishop shall say,

    Unto thee lift we up our eyes;
    O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
    As the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters;
    And as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress;
    Even so our eyes wait upon thee, O Lord;
    Until thou have mercy upon us.
    O Lord, have mercy upon us.
    Have mercy upon us.
    O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us;
    As our trust is in thee.

¶ The Bishop shall then say,

O ETERNAL God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hast in all times accepted and blessed the services of holy women; Look mercifully, we beseech thee, upon these thy servants, about to be set apart to the office and work of Deaconess. Protect them in the way wherein they go, and grant that in singleness of purpose and with a willing mind they may worthily accomplish the task committed to them, to thy glory and to the praise of thy Christ, to whom with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, be glory and worship for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Bishop ask of them the following questions, to which each Candidate shall answer for herself.

DEARLY beloved in the Lord, who are minded to take upon you this service in the Church of God, have you duly considered how weighty an undertaking this is, and are you prepared with a willing mind to take upon you this office of ministering to the suffering and needy, and in all humility and godly submission to help the Ministers of God’s Word and Sacraments?
    Answer. I have so considered it, and will do so, by the help of God.
    Bishop. Will you be obedient to those who are over you in the Lord, cheerfully and faithfully performing the service that shall be appointed to you?
    Answer. I will, by the help of God.
    Bishop. Inasmuch as this office is not to be lightly undertaken, is it your desire to give yourself to the work of the Lord as a Deaconess in singleness of heart?
    Answer. I desire to do so, by the help of God.

¶ Then shall the Candidate kneel, and the Bishop shall say,

ALMIGHTY God, who hath called you to serve him in this holy life, give you the power to fulfil this your service acceptably; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Bishop lay his hand upon the head of the person to be made Deaconess, saying,

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and sanctify you; and so endow you with all faith, wisdom, and humility, that you may serve before him to the glory of his great Name, and to the benefit of his Church and people; and make you faithful unto death, and give you the crown of everlasting life. Amen.

N. I admit thee to the office of Deaconess, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant unto this thy servant by the same Spirit to perceive and know what things she ought to do, and to have grace and strength evermore to do the same; direct her in all times of doubt and perplexity; strengthen her to bear the trial of her faith and patience; comfort her in times of sorrow; cheer her when faint and weary in the way. May thy love, abounding towards her more and more, stir up her heart to greater deeds of love to thee, and to all who need her service. And upon all those called to the office of Deaconess in thy Church bestow thy grace and heavenly benediction; enable them to bear each other’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Make them to know and feel their oneness in the mystical Body of thy dear Son, so that their fellowship here in works of love may prove to them a blessed discipline, and thus prepare them at last for the society of thy redeemed in heaven; through Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

O GOD, who in thy holy Word dost commend above all goodly apparel the ornament of a quiet spirit; Adorn, we beseech thee, these thy servants with the meekness and the gentleness of Christ, that in all humility and singleness of heart they may run the way of thy Commandments; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

¶ It is desirable that the Service of Holy Communion should follow, the newly set apart Deaconesses communicating.

At the Communion

The Collect

O GOD, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man’s understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Romans 15:1-6.
The Gospel. St. Luke 12:35-39.
 

The Installation of a Bishop

¶ The Institutor shall be the Presiding Bishop, or a Bishop or Priest appointed by him. The Warden of the service and other Ministers shall be Clergy and Laity of the Diocese, appointed by the Institutor.

THE INDUCTION

¶ When Ministers and People have assembled in the Church, all shall stand facing the Door. The Warden shall close the Door, and wait inside to open it. The Bishop, standing outside with his attendants, shall knock on the Door three times, saying,

OPEN me the gates of righteousness, that I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord.

¶ The Warden shall open the Door, and say,

HE that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep; to him the porter openeth.

¶ The Bishop shall enter the Church, stopping inside the Door. As he enters trumpets may be sounded or bells may be rung. Then he shall make his Petition,, as follows.

I, N., whom God hath ordained to be a Shepherd and Servant, whom also you have chosen, coming before you in all humility, desire to be Inducted, and Invested, as Bishop of ——, and to be Installed in the Chair of this Church pertaining to this Office.

¶ The Warden shall reply,

WE are ready and willing to do so. But that all men may know that we do act according to the Canons of the Church, we require that the Certificate of Election be read in your presence, and in the presence of this Congregation.

¶ Then the Clerk shall read aloud the said Document. After which the Warden shall conduct the Bishop to the Chancel Gate. Meanwhile a Hymn may be sung.

¶ Arrived before the Institutor, who shall sit in a Chair at the Chancel Gate, the Warden shall say,

MOST Reverend Father in God, we present unto you our Bishop to be Inducted, Invested, and Installed in his Office.

¶ Then the Institutor, still seated, shall say,

BY the authority committed unto me, and with the consent of those who have chosen you, I Induct you, Right Reverend Father in God, N., as Bishop of —— with all the temporal and spiritual rights and responsibilities of the same; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
 

THE INVESTITURE

¶ Then the Institutor and Warden shall conduct the Bishop before the Holy Table. Meanwhile the Cantor shall say responsively with the People the following Antiphon and Psalm.

    Antiphon. I will give you pastors according to mine heart, * which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Psalm 23. Dominus regit me.

THE Lord is my shepherd;
  Therefore can I lack nothing.
    He shall feed me in a green pasture;
    And lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
    He shall convert my soul;
    And bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake.
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
    For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
    Thou shalt prepare a table before me in the presence of them that trouble me;
    Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
    Surely thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
    And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
    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.

¶ Then the Reader, standing before the Altar, facing the Bishop, shall read the Lesson, as follows.

Hear the words of the Apostle Peter

The Lesson. I St. Peter 5:2.

FEED the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

¶ Then the Institutor may take from the Altar the Pastoral Staff and give it to the Bishop, saying,

IN the name and behalf of the Diocese of ——, I do receive and acknowledge you, Right Reverend Father in God, N., as Bishop of the same; (and in token thereof give into your hands the Pastoral Staff.)

¶ The Bishop, (holding the Pastoral Staff,) shall place his right hand on a Bible, held by the Warden, and shall take his Oath, as follows.

I, N., (receive this Staff at your hands, as the pledge of my institution, and of your recognition, and) promise to be a faithful shepherd unto you; So help me God, and the contents of this Book.
 

THE INSTALLATION

¶ Then the Institutor and Warden shall conduct the Bishop to his Chair. Meanwhile the following Anthem may be sung or said.

    Anthem. I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; * that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

¶ The Anthem being ended, the Warden shall bow to the Bishop, and say,

RIGHT Reverend Father in God, N., we Install you in the Chair pertaining to your Office, and we salute you as Bishop of ———, in which may our Lord Jesus Christ preserve and keep you.

¶ Then the People shall say,

The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

¶ And the Bishop, still seated, shall reply,

And with thy spirit.

¶ Here trumpets may be sounded or bells may be rung. Then the Clerk shall say,

SO now is our Right Reverend Father and Faithful Pastor really and lawfully Inducted, Invested, and Installed. Nought remains but to thank God upon the occasion, and to petition the Divine Majesty: that this his servant may be blest in the execution of his office, and that he, together with the people committed to his charge, may at last attain unto eternal life.
 

THE PRAYERS FOR THE BISHOP

¶ Then all still standing, the Bishop alone kneeling at his Chair, the Institutor, standing before him, shall say with the People the Kyries and Lord’s Prayer.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

O Lord, save thy servant;
Who putteth his trust in thee.
Send him help from thy holy place;
And evermore mightily defend him.
Be unto him a strong tower;
From the face of the enemy.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come unto thee.

O GOD, great in power, unsearchable in understanding, wondrous in counsels towards the children of men; Do thou fill with the gift of the Holy Spirit him whom thou hast willed to undertake this Ministry; that he may be worthy to stand before thy holy Altar unblameably, to announce the Gospel of thy Kingdom, to administer the Word of thy truth, to offer gifts and spiritual sacrifices unto thee, and to renew thy people in the font of Regeneration; that, at the second coming of thine only-begotten Son, he may go forth to meet him, and by the multitude of thy mercies receive his reward; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then the Institutor shall bless the Bishop, saying,

RECEIVE this Blessing to defend thee this day and all thy days to come. May the people honour thee. May God be thy Father, and the Angels of God protect thee. May the Church be thy Mother, and the Apostles thine examples. The Lord confirm and strengthen thee in righteousness and true holiness. And may the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, come down upon thee from above and remain with thee always. Amen.

¶ Then the Te Deum or a Hymn may be sung, and the Bishop, or someone appointed may deliver an Address.
 

THE PRAYERS OF THE BISHOP

¶ Then the Bishop shall go to the Altar and kneel before it, all others kneeling with him, and say this Prayer.

O LORD, attend our supplications; and graciously hearken unto me, who am the first to need thy mercy; and as thou hast made me the Minister of this work, not by choosing me on account of merit, but by the gift of thy grace, so give me confidence to perform thine office; and do thou thyself, by our ministration, fulfil the purpose of thine own loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ If the Holy Communion is to follow, this office shall end here, the following Collect being used as the Collect of the Day in the Liturgy. Otherwise, the Bishop, standing, shall say the following.

O LORD, we beseech thee, graciously to cast thy light upon thy Church; that thy flock may everywhere go on and prosper, and its pastors, by thy governance, may become acceptable to thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then, turning to the People, the Bishop shall give them his Blessing, saying,

THE Almighty Trinity and one true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, grant you to desire him wholly, to know him truly, and to love him sincerely; and bestow upon you such perseverance in his faith and love that he may bring you hereafter to himself and his unchangeable glory, world without end. Amen.

¶ When the Bishop is to be Installed at the time of his Consecration, the Acts of Induction, Investiture, and Installation, and such other parts of this service as the Presiding Bishop shall think convenient, shall be used immediately after the Consecration and before the continuation of the Liturgy.