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Holy Orders
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Liturgy of the Word
- The liturgy of the word takes place according to the rubrics. The readings may be taken in whole or in part from the Mass of the day or from the appropriate texts.
- 1st Reading
- Responsorial Psalm
- 2nd Reading
- Gospel
Presentation of the Bishop-Elect
- Priest: Most Reverend Father, the church of N. asks you to ordain this priest, N. for service as a bishop.
Apostolic Letter
- Principal Consecrator: Have you a mandate from the Holy See?
- Priest: We have.
- Principal Consecrator: Let it be read.
- Everyone sits while the document is read.
Consent of the People
- All: Thanks be to God.
Homily
Examination of the Candidate
- Principal Consecrator: An age-old custom of the Fathers decrees that a bishop-elect is to be questioned before the people on his resolve to uphold the faith and to discharge his duties faithfully.
- My brother, are you resolved by the grace of the Holy Spirit to discharge to the end of your life the office the apostles entrusted to us, which we now pass on to you by the laying on of hands?
- Bishop-Elect: I am.
- Principal Consecrator: Are you resolved to be faithful and constant in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
- Bishop-Elect: I am.
- Principal Consecrator: Are you resolved to maintain the deposit of faith, entire and incorrupt, as handed down by the apostles and professed by the Church everywhere and at all time?
- Bishop-Elect: I am.
- Principal Consecrator: Are you resolved to build up the Church as the body of Christ and to remain united to it within the order of bishops under the authority of the successor of the apostle Peter?
- Bishop-Elect: I am.
- Principal Consecrator: Are you resolved to be faithful in your obedience to the successor of the apostle Peter?
- Bishop-Elect: I am.
- Principal Consecrator: Are you resolved as a devoted father to sustain the people of God and to guide them in the way of salvation in cooperation with the priests and deacons who share your ministry?
- Bishop-Elect: I am.
- Principal Consecrator: Are you resolved to show kindness and compassion in the name of the Lord to the poor and to strangers and to all who are in need?
- Bishop-Elect: I am.
- Principal Consecrator: Are you resolved as a good shepherd to seek out the sheep who stray and to gather them into the fold of the Lord?
- Bishop-Elect: I am.
- Principal Consecrator: Are you resolved to pray for the people of God without ceasing, and to carry out the duties of one who has the fullness of the priesthood so as to afford no grounds for reproach?
- Bishop-Elect: I am, with the help of God.
- Principal Consecrator: May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.
Invitation to Prayer
- Bishop: My dear people, let us pray that almighty God in his goodness will pour out his grace upon this man whom he has chosen to provide for the needs of the Church.
- Deacon: Let us kneel.
- Litany of the Saints - bishop is prostrate.
- Principal Consecrator: Lord, be moved by our prayers. Anoint your servant with the fullness of priestly grace, and bless him with spiritual power in all its richness.
- We ask this through Christ our Lord.
- Amen.
- Deacon: Let us stand.
Laying on of Hands
- The principal consecrator lays his hands upon the head of the bishop-elect, in silence. After him, all other bishops present do the same.
Book of the Gospels
- Candidate kneels before the bishop.
- Then the principal consecrator place the open Book of the Gospels upon the head of the bishop-elect; two deacons, standing at either side of the bishop-elect, hold the Book of the Gospels above his head until the prayer of consecration is completed.
Prayers of Consecration
- Principal Consecrator:
- God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- Father of mercies and God of all consolation,
- You dwell in heaven,
- Yet look with compassion on all that is humble.
- You know all things before they come to be;
- by your gracious word
- you have established the plan of your Church.
- From the beginning
- You chose the descendants of Abraham to be your holy
- nation.
- You established rulers and priests,
- And did not leave your sanctuary without ministers to
- serve you.
- From the creation of the world
- you have been pleased to be glorified
- by those whom you have chosen.
- The following part of the prayers is recited by all the consecrating bishops, with hands joined.
- So now pour out upon this chosen one
- that power which is from you,
- the governing Spirit
- whom you gave to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ,
- the Spirit given by him to the holy apostles,
- who founded the Church in every place to be your
- temple
- for the unceasing glory and praise of your name.
- Then the principal consecrator continues alone:
- Father, you know all hearts.
- You have chosen your servant for the office of bishop.
- May he be a shepherd to your holy flock,
- and a high priest blameless in your sight,
- ministering to you night and day;
- may he always gain the blessing of your favor
- and offer the gifts of your holy Church.
- Through the Spirit who gives the grace of high priesthood
- grant him the power
- to forgive sins as you have commanded,
- to assign ministries as you have decreed,
- and to loose every bond by the authority which you
- gave to your apostles.
- May he be pleasing to you by his gentleness and purity
- of heart,
- presenting a fragrant offering to you,
- through Jesus Christ you Son,
- through whom glory and power and honor are yours
- with the Holy Spirit
- in your holy Church,
- now and forever.
- Amen.
Anointing of the Bishop's Head
- Principal Consecrator: God has brought you to share the high priesthood of Christ. May he pour out on you the oil of mystical anointing and enrich you with spiritual blessing.
Presentation of the Book of the Gospels
- Principal Consecrator: Receive the Gospel and preach the word of God with unfailing patience and sound teaching.
Investiture with Ring, Miter, and Pastoral Staff
- Principal Consecrator: Take this ring, the seal of your fidelity. With faith and love protect the bride of God, his holy Church.
- Place the miter on the new bishops head in silence.
- Principal Consecrator: Take this staff as a sign of your pastoral office: keep watch over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has appointed you to shepherd the Church of God.
Seating of the Bishop
- If the new bishop is in his own church, the principal consecrator invites him to occupy the chair. If the new bishop is not in his own church, his is invited by the principal consecrator to take the first place among the concelebrating bishops.
Kiss of Peace
- The newly ordained then sets aside his staff and receives the kiss of peace from the principal consecrator and all the other bishops.
Liturgy of the Eucharist.
- In Eucharistic Prayer I, the special form of Father, except this offering is said:
- Father, accept this offering
- from your whole family
- and from the one you have chosen for the order of
- bishops.
- Protect the gifts you have given him,
- and let him yield a harvest worthy of you.
Hymn of Thanksgiving and Blessing
- Hymn of Thanksgiving
- Solemn Blessing
- If the newly ordained bishop is the celebrant:
- Lord God,
- you care for your people with kindness,
- you rule them with love.
- Give your Spirit of wisdom
- to the bishops you have made teachers and pastors.
- By advancing in holiness
- may the flock become the eternal joy of the
- Shepherds.
- Amen.
- Lord God,
- by your power you allot us
- the number of our days and the measure of our
- years.
- Look favorably upon the service we perform for you,
- and give true, lasting peace in our time.
- Amen.
- Lord God,
- now that you have raised me to the order of bishops,
- may I please you in the performance of my office.
- Unite the hearts of people and bishop,
- so that the shepherd may not be without the support of
- his flock,
- or the flock without the loving concern of its shepherd.
- Amen.
- May almighty God bless you
- the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Amen.
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- If the principal consecrator is the celebrant
- May the Lord bless you and keep you.
- He chose to make you a bishop for his people:
- may you know happiness in this present life
- and share in unending joy.
- Amen.
- The Lord has gathered his people and
- clergy in unity,
- By his care and your stewardship
- may they be governed happily for many years.
- Amen.
- May they be obedient to God's law,
- free from hardships,
- rich in every blessing,
- and loyally assist you in your ministry.
- May they be blessed with peace and
- calm in this life
- and come to fellowship of the citizens of heaven.
- Amen.
- May almighty God bless you
- the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Amen.
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