Versions of the Ordinal
The base text is the Ordinal of 1662 (source). Earlier and later Ordinals are listed below, beginning with the ordination rites of the medieval English pontificals (translated into English by AnglicanGuide from the Latin editions, which are linked). Public-domain texts are given in full; for copyrighted modern rites, and for texts not yet imported, there is a short note and a link. Use the Compare tab on the Ordinal page to read any of them beside 1662.
- Pontifical of Egbert (10th-cent. MS (attrib. Egbert of York, abp 732–766)) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: The Pontifical of Egbert, Archbishop of York (Surtees Society 27, 1853)
- Benedictional of Archbishop Robert (late 10th-cent. MS) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: The Benedictional of Archbishop Robert, ed. H. A. Wilson (Henry Bradshaw Society 24, 1903)
- Leofric Missal (10th–11th-cent. MS, used by Leofric, bp of Exeter 1050–72) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: The Leofric Missal, ed. F. E. Warren (Oxford, 1883)
- Magdalen College Pontifical (12th-cent. MS) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: The Pontifical of Magdalen College, ed. H. A. Wilson (Henry Bradshaw Society 39, 1910)
- Winchester Pontifical (reconstructed from Maskell) (Winchester use, 12th century) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: Maskell, Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 2nd ed. (1882), vol. 2
- Bangor Pontifical (reconstructed from Maskell) (Bangor use, c. 1300) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: Maskell, Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 2nd ed. (1882), vol. 2
- Sarum Pontifical (Maskell) (Sarum use, as printed by Maskell) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: Maskell, Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 2nd ed. (1882), vol. 2
- Pontifical of Edmund Lacy (Exeter) (MS used by Edmund Lacy, bp of Exeter 1420–55) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: Liber Pontificalis of Edmund Lacy, ed. R. Barnes (Exeter, 1847)
- Exeter Pontifical (reconstructed from Maskell) (Exeter use, 15th century) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: Maskell, Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 2nd ed. (1882), vol. 2
- Pontifical of Christopher Bainbridge (York) (c. 1508, abp of York 1508–14) · ordination rites in English translation · Latin · Source: Liber Pontificalis Chr. Bainbridge, ed. W. G. Henderson (Surtees Society 61, 1875)
- Edwardine Ordinal (1550) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, The Ordinal from the 1549, 1552 and 1559 Books of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
- Edwardine Ordinal (revised) (1552)
Not yet imported: no clean separate transcription was available. The Wohlers transcription prints 1552 as variants of 1550. Among them: the alb required of ordinands in 1550 is no longer mentioned; priests receive only the Bible (in 1550, the Bible with the chalice and bread); and a bishop is no longer given the pastoral staff. Wohlers, the 1550 Ordinal with 1552 and 1559 variants (justus.anglican.org). - Elizabethan Ordinal (1559)
Not yet imported. Wohlers records the 1559 text as following 1552, with small changes such as the royal petitions of the Litany adapted for Elizabeth I and the Oath of Supremacy recast for her. Wohlers, 1559 Ordinal (PDF facsimile, justus.anglican.org). - Jacobean printing (1604)
Not yet imported: no transcription of a 1604 Ordinal was located. Wohlers notes that the Oath became the “Kings supremacie” for James I; otherwise the 1559 form was reprinted until the 1662 revision. Wohlers, the 1550 Ordinal with later variants (justus.anglican.org). - Episcopal Church (USA) Ordinal (1792) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1789 U.S. Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
- Episcopal Church (USA) Ordinal (1928) · full text · Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1928 U.S. Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org)
- Episcopal Church (USA), Book of Common Prayer (1979)
Not imported here. A new Preface begins “The Holy Scriptures and ancient Christian writers make it clear…”. The services run Bishop, Priest, Deacon, followed by a Litany for Ordinations. Each opens with a eucharistic acclamation, and diocesan representatives present the candidates. The bishop is made in a consecratory prayer (“Therefore, Father, make N. a bishop in your Church”), not by the 1662 imperative formula. Veni Creator or Veni Sancte Spiritus is sung. The Episcopal Church, The Book of Common Prayer (1979), Episcopal Services pp. 509–555 (official PDF). - Church of England, Alternative Service Book (1980)
Text under copyright and not reproduced. The ASB provided modern-language ordination services for deacons, priests and bishops, used alongside the 1662 Ordinal, which remained authorised. They have been replaced by the Common Worship Ordination Services. The Church of England says these keep a great deal of the ASB material and draw some phrases from 1662; its official text is linked here. Church of England, Common Worship Ordination Services (official text). - Anglican Church in North America, Book of Common Prayer (2019)
Text under copyright and not reproduced. A contemporary-language Ordinal of the 1662 pattern, ordering deacons, priests and bishops. Each service opens with an acclamation from Joel 2 and the Collect for Purity. Ordinands take an Oath of Conformity and of Canonical Obedience, a Litany for Ordinations is said, and Veni Creator is kept. The 1662 imperative survives as “Receive the Holy Spirit for the office and work of a Priest…”. A new priest is given a Bible and a chalice. ACNA, The Book of Common Prayer (2019), The Ordinal (official PDF).