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The Book of Common Prayer | ||||||
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Concerning Confirmation Confirmation is a necessary Sacrament wherein the Bishop, a direct descendant of Christ's Apostles, bestows the empowering gifts of the Holy Ghost for a life of ministry as Christ's servant. Confirmation can also be seen as an extension of Baptism, as an adult acceptance of promises, usually made by parents and godparents on behalf of an infant. At this stage in the Church's life there are at least two different ways of understanding Confirmation and its place in Christian life. One view holds that it is properly understood as a part of Baptism. It is then understood as an adult profession of faith in the presence of the Bishop, which does not add to the grace already received in the font. It is simply an important opportunity for those baptized in tender years to "own" their faith. At the same time, this view has not been universally accepted, and some bishops in particular wish to stress the necessity of Confirmation as an independent Sacrament. It is considered to be a vital sacramental connection with the laity and their Bishop by which the gifts of the Spirit are bestowed, confirming and strengthening the grace received in Baptism. Perhaps the most fruitful way to understand the Sacrament of Confirmation is to see it in connection with our appreciation of the ministry of the laity. Confirmation confers the particular gifts of the Holy Spirit to the lay person, to enable and equip him for the fullness of his particular ministry as an adult lay member of Christ's Body, the Church. It is then a kind of "ordination to the laity." As in his ordination a Deacon, Priest, or Bishop receives the promise of God's grace to fulfill that particular ministry, so also in Confirmation the layman receives that which he needs to fulfill his ministry. This need not, of course, imply that Baptism is in any way incomplete in the incorporation of the Christian into Christ. Rather, it takes seriously, in a spiritual and sacramental way, the ministry to which all are called.
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Confirmation A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung. if desired, the service may begin with the Penitential Order, page 245. The people standing, the Bishop may say
In place of the above, from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost Bishop In Lent and on other penitential occasions Bishop The Celebrant then continues
Here may follow the Collect for Purity, the Summary of the Law, Kyrie eleison, and Gloria in excelsis Deo. Then, in the usual manner, the Collect of the Day, Lessons, Gospel, and Sermon. |
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Presentation and Examination of the Candidates The Candidate(s) will now be presented.
The Bishop asks the candidates Dost thou reaffirm thy renunciation of evil?
After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation saying Will ye who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ? People We will. The Bishop then says these or similar words Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
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The Baptismal Covenant
The Bishop then says to the congregation Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ.
The Bishop then says Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ thy Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who liveth and reigneth now and for ever. Amen. A period of silence follows. Then the Bishop says Almighty God, we thank thee that by the death and resurrection of thy son Jesus Christ thou hast overcome sin and brought us to thyself, and that by the sealing of thy Holy Spirit thou hast bound us to thy service. Renew in these thy servants the covenant that thou hast made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in thy Holy Spirit to perform the service that thou dost set before them; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. |
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Then may the Bishop say Almighty and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins: Strengthen them, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever. Amen. |
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For Confirmation The Bishop lays hands upon each one and says Defend, O Lord, thy servant N. with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto thine everlasting Kingdom. Amen. N., we do acknowledge thee as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we do receive thee into the fellowship of this Communion. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost bless, preserve, and keep thee, now and ever more. Amen. N., may the Holy Ghost, who hath begun a good work in thee, direct and uphold thee in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen. the Bishop concludes with this prayer Almighty and everliving God, let thy fatherly hand be ever over these thy servants; let thine Holy Ghost ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy Word, that they may serve thee in this life, and dwell with thee in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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or the following Almighty and everliving God, who makest us both to will and to do those things which are good, and acceptable unto thy Divine Majesty; we make our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants, upon whom, after the example of thy holy Apostles, we have now laid our hands, to certify them, by this sign, of thy favor and gracious goodness towards them. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen |
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The service then continues with the Offertory of the Eucharist, page 259.
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Concerning Holy Orders The Anglican Church, while deeply influenced by many of the principles of the Reformation, has carefully maintained the historic threefold order of catholic Christian ministry - Bishop, Priest, and Deacon. It understands this order as a gift to the Church from above, directly flowing from the ministry of Christ. Bishops, in their apostolic work of ordaining other bishops, priests, and deacons, solemnly invoke the presence of the Holy Spirit. The authority of this ministry is not of man, but of God. The Ordinal, as this part of the Prayer Book is called, has frequently been a controversial issue for the Church. In every age, a distinctive part of the Church's ministry tends to be emphasized, sometimes at the expense of other elements. At times the priesthood has been understood solely in terms of the offering of the Mass; it is reduced by some to one of the so-called helping professions. The traditional Anglican Ordinal avoids such one-sided views of the ordained ministry. It seeks to awaken in the Church's self-understanding a vision of ministry that is Apostolic, founded directly upon New Testament teaching and established in the work of the early Church fathers. In particular, the Ordinal stresses the work of preaching and teaching the Gospel, caring for the spiritual needs of the people, and abiding faithfully in the fellowship of Christ and the Apostles. While the services which follow represent in all essential matters the authorized forms in the Book of Common Prayer, they also restore several traditional elements from earlier Anglican and other Western Ordinals. The Litany of Saints reminds us of the cloud of witnesses which surrounds and upholds in a special sense those who are set apart for the work of God. The ordination prayer beginning "Almighty God, and heavenly Father, ... " is the classical Anglican expression of the dignity and divine origin of the apostolic calling. The "tradition of the instruments," the ceremony of vesting the newly ordained with the instruments of his work is here expanded to its historic fullness.
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Ordination of a Priest
In place of the above, from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost Bishop In Lent and on other penitential occasions Bishop The Bishop then says Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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The Presentation The Bishop and people sit. Priests and Lay persons, standing before the Bishop, present the Ordinand, saying N., Bishop in the Church of God, on behalf of the clergy and people of the Diocese of N., we present unto thee N.N. to be ordained a priest in Christ's Holy Catholic Church. Bishop Has he been selected in accordance with the canons of this Church? And do ye believe his manner of life to be suitable to the exercise of this ministry? Presenters We certify to thee that he has satisfied the requirements of the canons, and we believe him to be qualified for this order. The Bishop says to the Ordinand Wilt thou be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them? And wilt thou, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey thy bishop and other ministers who may have authority over thee and thy work? The Ordinand responds I am willing and ready to do so; and I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church. The Ordinand then signs this Declaration in the sight of all present. All now stand. The Bishop says to the people Beloved in Christ, ye know the importance of this ministry, and the weight of your responsibility in presenting N. for ordination to the sacred priesthood. Therefore if anyone knoweth any impediment or notable crime in this person presented for which we ought not to proceed, let him come forth in the Name of God, and show what the crime or impediment is. If no objection is made, the bishop continues Is it your will that N. be ordained a priest? The People respond It is. Bishop Will ye uphold him in this ministry? The People respond We will. The Bishop then calls the people to prayer with one of the following or similar words In peace let us pray to the Lord. or Dearly beloved, let us pray that God the Almighty Father will send his manifold gifts from heaven to this servant of his, whom he hath chosen for the Office of Priesthood, and will help him to accomplish the task he hath permitted him to undertake. All kneel. The Litanist begins the following, the Litany for Ordinations which is found on page 420, or some other approved litany. |
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The Litany of Saints Kyrie, eleison Kyrie, eleison O God, the Father of heaven, Holy Mary, pray for us. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord; and that it may please thee to grant peace to the whole world, and to thy Church; That it may please thee to sanctify and bless thy holy Church throughout the world; That it may please thee to inspire all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with love of thee and of thy truth; That it may please thee to endue all Ministers of thy Church with devotion to thy glory and to the salvation of souls; That it may please thee to bless this thy servant, now to be admitted to the Order of Priest, and to pour thy grace upon him; that he may duly execute his Office, to the edifying of thy Church, and to the glory of thy Holy Name. That it may please thee to guide by thine indwelling Spirit those whom thou dost call to the Ministry of thy Church; that they may go forward with courage, and persevere unto the end; That it may please thee to increase the number of ministers of thy Church, that the Gospel may be preached to all people; That it may please thee to grant that we, with all thy saints, may be partakers of thy everlasting kingdom; Kyrie eleison. |
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| The Bishop stands and says The Lord be with you. The Bishop then reads the Collect of the Day, or the following collect, or both. O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably upon thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; and by the tranquil operation of thy providence, carry out the work of man's salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being renewed unto the perfection of him through whom all things were made, thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The Ministry of the Word Three lessons are read. The Readings are ordinarily selected from the following list and may be lengthened if desired. On a major feast, or on a Sunday, the Bishop may select Readings from the Proper of the Day. Old Testament Isaiah 6:1-8, or Numbers 11:16-17, 24-25 Before the Old Testament and Epistle, the reader first says A Reading from _______________. A citation giving chapter and verse may be added. After each reading, the Reader says The Word of the Lord. Before the Gospel, a hymn or psalm may be sung. A deacon or priest reads the Gospel, first saying |
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| The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit. |
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After the Gospel, the Reader says The Gospel of the Lord. The Sermon The Congregation then stands and sings or says the Nicene Creed I believe in one God, And in one Lord Jesus Christ, And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of Life,
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The Examination All are seated except the ordinand, who stands before the Bishop. The Bishop addresses the ordinand as follows My brother, the Church is the family of God, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. All baptized people are called to make Christ known as Savior and Lord, and to share in the renewing of his world. Now thou art called to work as a pastor, priest, and teacher, together with thy bishop and fellow presbyters, and to take thy share in the councils of the Church. As a priest, it will be thy task to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion thy life in accordance with its precepts. Thou art to love and serve the people among whom thou dost work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. Thou art to preach, to declare God's forgiveness to penitent sinners, to pronounce God's blessing, to share in the administration of Holy Baptism and in the celebration of the mysteries of Christ's Body and Blood, and to perform the other ministrations entrusted unto thee. In all that thou dost, thou art to nourish Christ's people from all the riches of his grace, and strengthen them to glorify God m whom thou art called to serve, laboring together this life and in the life to come. My brother, believest thou that thou art truly called by God and his Church to this priesthood?
Ordinand Amen.
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The Consecration of the Priest All now stand except the Ordinand, who kneels facing the Bishop. The hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus, or the hymn, Veni Sancte Spiritus, is now sung. A period of silent prayer follows, the people still standing. The Bishop then says this Prayer of Consecration God and Father of all, we praise thee for thine infinite love in calling us to be a holy people in the kingdom of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the image of thine eternal and invisible glory, the firstborn of many brethren, and the head of the Church. We thank thee that by his death he hath overcome death, and, having ascended into heaven, hath poured his gifts abundantly upon thy people, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry and the building up of his body. Here the Bishop lays hands upon the head of the Ordinand, the vested priests who are present also laying on their hands. At the same time the Bishop prays Therefore, Father, through Jesus Christ thine only Son, give thy Holy Spirit to N.; fill him with grace and power, and make him a priest in thy Church. |
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or, in place of the above, the Bishop may say the following Almighty God, and heavenly Father, who, of thine infinite love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thine only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the Author of everlasting life; who after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Doctors, and Pastors; by whose labor and ministry he gathered together a great flock in all the parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy Name: For these so great benefits of thine eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same Office and Ministry, appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks, we praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy blessed Son, to grant unto all, which either here or elsewhere call upon thy holy Name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful unto thee for these and all thine other benefits; and that we may daily increase and go forwards in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy Ministers, as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy Ministers, thy holy Name may be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. Here the Bishop lays hands upon the head of the Ordinand, the vested Priests who are present also laying on their hands. At the same time the Bishop prays Receive the Holy Ghost for the Office and Work of a Priest in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the Imposition of our hands. Whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained. And be thou a faithful Dispenser of the Word of God, and of his holy Sacraments; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen |
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May he exalt thee, O Lord, in the midst of thy people; offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to thee; boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the sacraments of the New Covenant. Make him a faithful pastor, a patient teacher, and a wise counsellor. Grant that in all things he may serve thee without reproach, so that thy people may be strengthened and thy Name glorified in all the world. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The new Priest is now vested according to the order of Priests. |
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At the giving of the stole, the Bishop says Take thou the yoke of the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. The new Priest is then vested with the chasuble, the Bishop saying Receive this priestly garment which symbolizes charity; for God is well able to give thee an increase of charity and a perfect work. The Bishop now anoints the hands of the new Priest, saying Vouchsafe, O Lord, to consecrate and sanctify these hands by this unction, and by our blessing; that whatsoever they shall bless may be blessed, and whatsoever they shall consecrate may be consecrated and sanctified; in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Then the Bishop delivers into his hands a chalice, containing wine and water, and a paten, saying Take thou authority to offer sacrifice to God, and to celebrate Mass both for the living and for the dead. In the Name of the Lord. Amen. |
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Receive this Bible as a sign of the authority given thee to preach the Word of God and to administer his holy Sacraments. Do not forget the trust committed unto thee as a Priest of the Church of God. The Bishop greets the newly-ordained Priest. The Peace of the Lord be always with you. Greetings and necessary announcements are now made. The Liturgy continues with the Offertory of the Mass, page 259. In place of the usual post communion prayer, the people kneel, and the Bishop and people pray Almighty Father, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and that thou dost make us one body through him in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We thank thee for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry of thy Word and Sacraments. We pray that N. may be unto us an effectual example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with him, may serve
thee now and always rejoice in thy glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. |
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The Bishop then blesses the people Pontifical Blessing
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or the new Priest blesses the people in the usual manner. It is customary for the people to receive the first blessing of a new Priest at some convenient place following the Ordination. Deacon Let us bless the Lord.
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Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to ________________