Ordination of Priests

		The Ordination of Priests
		(also called Presbyters)

¶		The Gathering

		At the entry of the ministers, a hymn, a canticle, or a psalm may be sung.

		The Greeting

		The Bishop greets the people

		The Lord be with you
All		and also with you.

		The Collect

Bishop		God our Father, Lord of all the world,
		through your Son you have called us into the fellowship of
		your universal Church;
		hear our prayer for your faithful people
		that in their vocation and ministry
		each may be an instrument of your love,
		and give your servants now to be ordained
		the needful gifts of grace;
		through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
		who is alive and reigns with you
		in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
		one God, now and for ever.
All		Amen.

¶		The Liturgy of the Word

		Readings

		Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61.1-3a or Malachi 2.5-7

		At the end the reader may say

		This is the word of the Lord.
All		Thanks be to God.

		Psalm

		I will exalt you, O God my King, •
		and bless your name for ever and ever.

		Every day will I bless you •
		and praise your name for ever and ever.

		Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; •
		his greatness is beyond all searching out.

		One generation shall praise your works to another •
		and declare your mighty acts.

		They shall speak of the majesty of your glory, •
		and I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

		They shall speak of the might of your marvellous acts, •
		and I will also tell of your greatness.

		They shall pour forth the story of your abundant kindness •
		and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

		My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, •
		and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
		Psalm 145.1-7, 22
		Glory to the Father and to the Son
		and to the Holy Spirit;
		as it was in the beginning is now
		and shall be for ever.
		Amen.

		New Testament Reading:2 Corinthians 5.14-19

		At the end the reader may say

		This is the word of the Lord.
All		Thanks be to God.

		A canticle or a hymn may be sung.

		Gospel Reading

		When the Gospel is announced the reader says

		Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All		Glory to you, O Lord.

		The Gospel: John 20.19-23

		At the end

		This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All		Praise to you, O Christ.

		Sermon

		The Creed

		Stand

		The Nicene Creed may be said

All		We believe in one God,
		the Father, the Almighty,
		maker of heaven and earth,
		of all that is,
		seen and unseen.

		We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
		the only Son of God,
		eternally begotten of the Father,
		God from God, Light from Light,
		true God from true God,
		begotten, not made,
		of one Being with the Father;
		through him all things were made.
		For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
		was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
		and was made man.
		For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
		he suffered death and was buried.
		On the third day he rose again
		in accordance with the Scriptures;
		he ascended into heaven
		and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
		He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
		and his kingdom will have no end.

		We believe in the Holy Spirit,
		the Lord, the giver of life,
		who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
		who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
		who has spoken through the prophets.
		We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
		We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
		We look for the resurrection of the dead,
		and the life of the world to come.
		Amen.

		The Presentation

		The Archdeacon or other person appointed reads the name of each person to be ordained priest, and that of the place where he is to serve, first saying

		Reverend Father, I present these persons to be ordained to the office of priesthood in the Church of God.

		The Bishop presents the candidates to the people, and says

		Those whose duty it is to enquire about these persons and examine them have found them to be of godly life and sound learning, and believe them to be duly called to serve God in this ministry. Is it therefore your will that they should be ordained?
All		It is.

		Will you uphold them in their ministry?
All		We will.

		The Declaration

		The candidates stand before the Bishop, and the people sit.

Bishop		A priest is called by God to work with the bishop and with his fellow-priests, as servant and shepherd among the people to whom he is sent. He is to proclaim the word of the Lord, to call his hearers to repentance, and in Christ's name to absolve and to declare the forgiveness of sins. He is to baptize and prepare the baptized for Confirmation. He is to preside at the celebration of the Holy Communion. He is to lead his people in prayer and worship, to intercede for them, to bless them in the name of the Lord, and to teach and encourage by word and example. He is to minister to the sick, and prepare the dying for their death. He must set the Good Shepherd always before him as the pattern of his calling, caring for the people committed to his charge, and joining with them in a common witness to the world.

		In the name of our Lord we bid you remember the greatness of the trust now to be committed to your charge, about which you have been taught in your preparation for this ministry. You are to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord; you are to teach and to admonish, to feed and to provide for the Lord's family, to search for his children in the wilderness of this world's temptations and to guide them through its confusions, so that they may be saved through Christ for ever.

		Remember always with thanksgiving that the treasure now to be entrusted to you is Christ's own flock, bought through the shedding of his blood on the cross. The Church and congregation among whom you will serve are one with him: they are his body. Serve them with joy, build them up in faith, and do all in your power to bring them to loving obedience to Christ.

		Because you cannot bear the weight of this ministry in your own strength but only by the grace and power of God, pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit. Pray that he will each day enlarge and enlighten your understanding of the Scriptures, so that you may grow stronger and more mature in your ministry, as you fashion your life and the lives of your people on the word of God.

		We trust that long ago you began to weigh and ponder all this, and that you are fully determined, by the grace of God, to give yourselves wholly to his service and devote to him your best powers of mind and spirit, so that, as you daily follow the rule and teaching of our Lord, with the heavenly assistance of his Holy Spirit, you may grow up into his likeness, and sanctify the lives of all with whom you have to do.

		The Bishop says to those who are to be ordained

		In order that we may know your mind and purpose, and that you may be strengthened in your resolve to fulfil your ministry, you must make the declarations we now put to you.

		Do you believe, so far as you know your own heart, that God has called you to the office and work of a priest in his Church?
		I believe that God has called me.

Bishop		Do you accept the holy Scriptures as revealing all things necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ?
		I do so accept them.

Bishop		Do you believe the doctrine of the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it, and in your ministry will you expound and teach it?
		I believe it, and will so do.

Bishop		Will you accept the discipline of this Church, and give due respect to those in authority?
		By the help of God, I will.

Bishop		Will you be diligent in prayer, in reading holy Scripture, and in all studies that will deepen your faith and fit you to uphold the truth of the Gospel against error?
		By the help of God, I will.

Bishop		Will you strive to fashion your own life and that of your household according to the way of Christ?
		By the help of God, I will.

Bishop		Will you promote unity, peace, and love among all Christian people, and especially among those whom you serve?
		By the help of God, I will.

Bishop		Will you then, in the strength of the Holy Spirit, continually stir up the gift of God that is in you, to make Christ known to all men?
		By the help of God, I will.

Bishop		Almighty God, who has given you the will to undertake all these things, give you also the strength to perform them; that he may complete that work which he has begun in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.

		The Prayers

		Kneel

		The Bishop commends those who are to be ordained to the prayers of the people and silence is kept.

		Veni Creator is sung.

		Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
		And lighten with celestial fire;
		Thou the anointing Spirit art,
		Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

		Thy blessed unction from above
		Is comfort, life and fire of love;
		Enable with perpetual light
		The dullness of our blinded sight.

		Anoint and cheer our soiled face
		With the abundance of thy grace;
		Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
		Where thou art guide no ill can come.

		Teach us to know the Father, Son,
		And thee, of both, to be but One;
		That through the ages all along
		This may be our endless song:

		Praise to thy eternal merit,
		Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
		Amen.

Bishop		Let us pray.

		The Bishop or some other minister leads the prayers for the candidates and for the ministry of the whole Church.

		God the Father,
All		have mercy upon us.

		God the Son,
All		have mercy upon us.

		God the Holy Spirit,
All		have mercy upon us.

		Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity,
All		have mercy upon us.

		From all evil and mischief;
		from pride, vanity and hypocrisy;
		from envy, hatred and malice;
		and from all evil intent,
All		good Lord, deliver us.

		From sloth, worldliness, and love of money;
		from hardness of heart
		and contempt for your word and your laws,
All		good Lord, deliver us.

		From sins of body and mind;
		from the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
		from error and false doctrine,
All		good Lord, deliver us.

		In all times of sorrow,
		in all times of joy;
		in the hour of death,
		and at the day of judgement,
All		good Lord, deliver us.

		Govern and direct your holy Church;
		fill it with love and truth;
		and grant it that unity which is your will.
All		Hear us, good Lord.

		Give us boldness to preach the gospel in all the world,
		and to make disciples of all the nations.
All		Hear us, good Lord.

		Enlighten [N our Bishop and] all who minister
		with knowledge and understanding,
		that by their teaching and their lives
		they may proclaim your word.
All		Hear us, good Lord.

		Bless your servants now to be made priests,
		that they may serve your Church
		and reveal your glory in the world.
All		Hear us, good Lord.

		Give your people grace to hear and receive your word,
		and to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.
All		Hear us, good Lord.

		Bring into the way of truth all who have erred
		and are deceived.
All		Hear us, good Lord.

		Strengthen those who stand;
		comfort and help the faint-hearted;
		raise up the fallen;
		and finally beat down Satan under our feet.
All		Hear us, good Lord.

		Give us true repentance;
		forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance,
		and our deliberate sins;
		and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit
		to amend our lives according to your holy word.
All		Holy God,
		holy and strong,
		holy and immortal,
		have mercy upon us.

Bishop		Lord, you are merciful and forgive our sins. You hear those who pray in the name of your Son. Grant that what we have asked in faith we may obtain according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.

		The Ordination

		The Bishop stands with the priests who assist him; the candidates kneel before him; he stretches out his hands towards them, and says

		We praise and glorify you, almighty Father, because you have formed throughout the world a holy people for your own possession, a royal priesthood, a universal Church.

		We praise and glorify you because you have given us your only Son Jesus Christ to be the Apostle and High Priest of our faith, and the Shepherd of our souls.

		We praise and glorify you that by his death he has overcome death; and that, having ascended into heaven, he has given his gifts abundantly, making some, apostles; some, prophets; some, evangelists; some, pastors and teachers; to equip your people for the work of ministry and to build up his body.

		And now we give you thanks that you have called these your servants, whom we ordain in your name, to share this ministry entrusted to your Church.

		Here the Bishop and priests lay their hands on the head of each candidate, and the Bishop says

		Send down the Holy Spirit upon your servant N for the office and work of a priest in your Church.

		When the Bishop has laid hands on all of them, he continues

		Almighty Father, give to these your servants grace and power to fulfil their ministry among those committed to their charge; to watch over them and care for them; to absolve and bless them in your name, and to proclaim the gospel of your salvation. Set them among your people to offer with them spiritual sacrifices acceptable in your sight and to minister the sacraments of the new covenant. As you have called them to your service, make them worthy of their calling. Give them wisdom and discipline to work faithfully with all their fellow-servants in Christ, that the world may come to know your glory and your love.

		Accept our prayers, most merciful Father, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and your Holy Spirit, belong glory and honour, worship and praise, now and for ever.
All		Amen.

		The Giving of the Bible

		Sit

		The newly-ordained priests stand, and the Bishop gives the Bible to each one, saying

		Receive this Book, as a sign of the authority which God has given you this day to preach the gospel of Christ and to minister his Holy Sacraments.

¶		The Liturgy of the Sacrament

		Stand

		The Bishop resumes the celebration of Holy Communion at the Peace. These special forms are used

		Proper Preface
		And now we give you thanks because within the royal priesthood of your Church you ordain ministers to proclaim the word of God, to care for your people and to celebrate the sacraments of the new covenant.

		Post Communion Sentence
		The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
		Mark 10.45

		Post Communion
		Father,
		you have appointed your Son
		to be our high priest for ever.
		Fulfil now your purpose in choosing these men
		to be ministers and stewards
		of your word and sacraments;
		and grant that they may be found faithful
		in the ministry they have received;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.

		Blessing
		Almighty God, who for the salvation of the world gives to his people many gifts and ministries to the advancement of his glory, stir up in you the gifts of his grace, sustain each one of you in your own ministry; and the blessing …

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.