Pontifical of Christopher Bainbridge (York) (c. 1508, abp of York 1508–14)

The Causes and Conditions of Holy Orders

¶ The pontifical requires first that the causes of the sacred orders be known, so that, their origin being known, the bishop himself may attain fully to the mystical understanding of them.

¶ Chapter one.

He that is to be ordained should always prepare confession before receiving the order (Distinction 40, last chapter). Let him not come in mortal sin (Extra, De temporibus ordinationum, Ad aures). Let him not neglect the first tonsure. Let no one be ordained unless examination go before (Distinction 24, throughout). Let not the minor orders be received together with the subdiaconate, nor two orders together, but by degrees (Extra, De tempore ordinationum, Per literas). Let no one receive an order per saltum (Distinction 52, chapter 2). Not from another bishop than his own (Distinction 25, Perlectis). Not against the bishop's prohibition, nor without a title (Extra, De vita et honestate clericorum, Cum secundum apostolum). Not by stealth (Extra, De eo qui furtive ordinem suscepit, chapters 1 and 2). Let him hear the mass in which he is ordained entire. Let each touch all things that are to be touched in the receiving of his order (Distinction 25, Perlectis). Let him not come unless licensed and presented (Extra, De scrutinio, last chapter). Let him receive orders fasting, and from a fasting bishop (Extra, De temporibus ordinationum, Per literas). Orders are not to be received or conferred except at the times appointed by the Church (Extra, as before, chapters 1 and 3). There are many things which hinder one to be promoted, without fault though not without cause: for there ought not to be promoted one unknown (Extra, De clericis peregrinis, chapter 2); one twice married (Distinction 26, A cunctis); a novice (Distinction 48, Quomodo); one maimed in body (Distinction 55); one born of an unlawful bed (Extra, De filiis presbyterorum, chapter 1); a serf (Extra, De servis non ordinandis, chapters 1 and 2). One bound to render accounts is sometimes repelled from orders. From the foregoing the dignity of the clerical state is plain: for orders are not conferred by anyone whatever, nor upon anyone whatever, nor in any place whatever, nor on any day whatever, nor at any hour of the day whatever, but at the time of mass.

The Bishop's Preparation for Mass (vesting prayers)

¶ Of the celebration of a bishop. A bishop about to celebrate the solemnities of mass first says beforehand certain psalms and prayers, by the institution of Pope Celestine, which he says meanwhile as he is shod with buskins and sandals, according to the exhortation of the Psalmist: Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

¶ These are the five psalms which ought to be said: How amiable (Psalm 84). Glory be to the Father. Lord, thou hast been favourable (Psalm 85). Glory be to the Father. Bow down thine ear, O Lord (Psalm 86). Glory be to the Father. I believed, therefore have I spoken (Psalm 116:10 ff.). Glory be to the Father. Out of the depths (Psalm 130). Glory be to the Father.

¶ Antiphon: Come, O Lord, visit us in peace, that we may rejoice before thee with a perfect heart.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Our Father. And lead us not.

℣. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise; ℟. That I may sing of thy glory, O Lord.

℣. Hide thy face from my sins; ℟. And blot out all mine iniquities.

℣. Create in me a clean heart, O God; ℟. And renew a right spirit within me.

℣. Cast me not away from thy presence; ℟. And take not thy holy spirit from me.

℣. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; ℟. And uphold me with thy free spirit.

℣. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; ℟. And let thy saints shout for joy.

℣. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; ℟. Cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer; ℟. And let my cry come unto thee.

℣. The Lord be with you; ℟. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Incline the ears of thy loving-kindness, most gentle God, to my prayers, and enlighten my heart with the grace of the Holy Spirit, that I may be found worthy to minister worthily to thy mysteries. Through Christ [our] Lord.

Prevent our actions, we beseech thee, O Lord, by thy inspiration, and further them with thy help; that every work of ours may always begin from thee, and by thee be ended.

Make me, I pray thee, O God, so to be clothed with righteousness that I may be found worthy to rejoice in the exultation of thine elect; so that, stripped of all the defilements of sins, I may attain to the fellowship of the priests who please thee; and let thy mercy strip me of all vices, whom the guilt of my own conscience weighs down. Through Christ [our] Lord.

¶ The buskins and sandals having been put on, let the bishop, before he puts on the amice, comb his head and wash his hands and face; and while he washes let him say this prayer.

Grant to our senses, Almighty Father, that as the stains of the hands are here washed away, so the pollutions of the mind may be cleansed within by thee, and the increase of holy virtues may ever grow in us. Through Christ.

¶ On putting the amice on his head let him say:

May the Holy Spirit come upon me, and the power of the Highest overshadow my head.

¶ At the alb.

Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy upon me, and cleanse me from all guilt; that with those who have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb I may be found worthy to enjoy everlasting joys.

¶ At the girdle.

Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of righteousness, and bind fast in me the delight in God and in my neighbour.

¶ At the stole.

Compass my neck, O Lord, with the stole of righteousness, and purify my mind from all corruption of sin.

¶ At the tunicle.

Clothe me, O Lord, with the garment of salvation, and compass me ever with the robe of gladness.

¶ At the dalmatic.

Give me, O Lord, understanding and voice, that I may be able to sing thy praise at this mass.

¶ At the fanon [maniple].

Clothe me, most merciful Father, with the new man, the old being put off with his deeds, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

¶ At the chasuble.

Clothe me, O Lord, with the breastplate of faith and the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

¶ Then let the bishop say, before he approaches the altar, I will go unto the altar of God, and so forth, as is contained in the Missal.

¶ And when the bishop has put off the chasuble and the other episcopal vestments, let him say these psalms under one Glory be to the Father, with the antiphon, Of the three children: O ye priests, bless ye the Lord, to the end (Song of the Three Children); Praise God in his sanctuary (Psalm 150); Lord, now lettest thou thy servant (Luke 2). Glory be to the Father. As it was. Then is said the antiphon, Of the three children. There follows:

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Our Father. And lead us not.

℣. Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit; ℟. Let us praise and magnify him for ever.

℣. Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven; ℟. Worthy to be praised and glorious.

℣. May [the Lord] bless and keep. Enter not [into judgement]. O Lord God of hosts. O Lord, hear. The Lord be with you.

Let us pray.

O God, who didst assuage the flames of fire for the three children: grant that the flame of vices may not burn us thy servants.

Burn, O Lord, our reins and our heart with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may serve thee with chaste body and please thee with clean heart.

Prevent our actions, we beseech thee, O Lord, by thy inspiration, and further them with thy help; that every work of ours may always begin from thee, and by thee be ended. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Presentation

¶ The ordination of doorkeepers. After the first prayer, let the bishop sit before the altar, turned towards those to be ordained; and the archdeacon, vested in a silk cope, humbly looking towards the bishop, addresses him with these words, standing, and reading as it were after the manner of a lesson:

This holy Church asks, reverend father, that these men, fit for orders, be consecrated for her by your fatherhood.

¶ The answer of the bishop.

See that such be brought in by thee in nature, knowledge and manners, nay, that such persons be ordained by us in the house of the Lord, by whom the devil may be driven far off and the clergy multiplied to our Lord.

¶ The answer of the archdeacon.

So far as human examination reaches, they are held worthy by nature, knowledge and manners, and, God willing, they can be made upright fellow-workers in these things.

¶ Which being ended, let the bishop say this prayer publicly, standing, without note:

By the help of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, these our brethren here present have been chosen into holy orders by us and by the clerks serving this holy see: some to the office of priest, deacon or subdeacon, and some to the other ecclesiastical degrees. Therefore we admonish and ask both you clerks and the rest of the people, that ye would vouchsafe to intercede with the divine mercy for us and for them, with pure heart and sincere mind, that he may make us worthy to be heard for them, and may vouchsafe to choose and consecrate them, each in his own order, by our hands. And if any man hath anything against these men, for God's sake and on God's behalf, let him come forth with confidence and say it. But let him be mindful of his own communion.

¶ Let all who are to be ordained be warned that they depart not from the church before the end of the mass.

The Ordination of Doorkeepers

¶ The introit of the mass having been sung, and the first collect said, let the archdeacon say: Let those who are to be ordained doorkeepers come forward.

¶ Then let them come forward to be consecrated, immediately before the lesson is read or the gradual sung; and the bishop, sitting with the mitre, instructing them, shall say:

It behoves the doorkeeper to strike the bell, to open the church, and to hold the book for him who preaches.

¶ And when they are ordained, the bishop shall deliver to them the keys of the church, and let them receive them with both hands; and let the bishop say to them, standing (and if there are many, let them stand round about, and the bishop go round, repeating the same often):

So act as men who shall render account to God for the things that are locked up with these keys.

¶ Then let the archdeacon lead them to the door of the church and deliver the door to them.

¶ The preface of doorkeepers, the bishop turned towards them, with his right hand raised over them.

Dearly beloved brethren, let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that he would vouchsafe to ✠ bless these his servants N., whom he hath vouchsafed to choose into the office of doorkeepers; that they may have most faithful care by day and by night, for the marking of the appointed hours, for calling upon the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¶ Then let the bishop turn to the altar, saying: Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee. Arise.

¶ The bishop, rising, shall turn to those to be ordained, with his right hand raised, saying:

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to ✠ bless these thy servants in the office of doorkeepers, that among the doorkeepers of thy church they may render obedient service to thee, and among thine elect may be found worthy to have a share in thy reward. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Let this manner and gesture be observed in all things in the other orders.

The Ordination of Readers

[...]

¶ [The edition's text is illegible here. It contains the rubrics for the first lesson and gradual, the archdeacon's call of the readers, and the bishop's instruction, ending:] [...] it behoves [...]

Receive, and be ye bearers of the word of God; if ye fulfil your office faithfully and devoutly, ye shall have part with them that have ministered the word of God from the beginning.

Let us pray, dearly beloved, God the Father Almighty, that upon these his servants, whom he vouchsafeth to take into the order of readers, he would mercifully pour forth his blessing; so that they may read distinctly the things that are to be read in the Church of God, and fulfil the same in their works.

¶ In this manner let the following prefaces be said, as far as the deacons. Let us pray. The deacon: Let us bow the knee.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to ✠ bless these thy servants in the office of readers; that by diligence in reading they may be distinguished and ordered, and may both speak the things that are to be done and fulfil in deed the things that they speak; that in both they may serve the good of holy Church by the example of their holiness. Through [our] Lord.

The Ordination of Exorcists

¶ Then, the second lesson having been read with the gradual, and the third prayer said, let the archdeacon say: Let those who are to be ordained exorcists come forward. Then let them come forward; and let the bishop, sitting, say to them:

It belongs to the exorcist to cast out devils, and to say to the people, "Let him that does not communicate give place," and to pour out water in the ministry.

¶ And let the bishop, standing, deliver to them the book in which the exorcisms are written, in the manner above, saying:

Receive, and commit to memory, and have ye power to lay hands upon the possessed, whether baptized or catechumens.

¶ The preface of exorcists.

Dearly beloved brethren, let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that he would vouchsafe to bless these his servants in the office of exorcists; that they may be spiritual commanders for casting out devils from bodies possessed, with [all their manifold wickedness ...]

[...]

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to bless these thy servants in the office of exorcists; that through the laying on of hands and the office of the mouth they may have power and command for restraining unclean spirits; that they may be approved physicians of thy Church, strengthened by the grace of healing and by heavenly power. Through [our] Lord.

The Ordination of Acolytes

¶ Here, the third lesson being ended, and the gradual and fourth prayer said, let [the archdeacon] say: Let those who are to be ordained acolytes come forward. Then let them come, and let the bishop say:

It behoves the acolyte to carry the candlestick, to light the lamps of the church, and to minister wine and water for the eucharist.

¶ Here also he may inform them more expressly of the four preceding orders, which are comprehended under the name of the acolytate, though they are four in number, as is contained at the beginning of the book. And then [let them receive] from the bishop the other [things], the bishop saying to them:

Receive the candlestick with the taper, that ye may know that ye are appointed to light the lamps of the church.

¶ Let them receive also an empty cruet from the archdeacon, the bishop saying to them:

Receive the cruet, for supplying wine and water for the eucharist of the Blood of Christ.

Dearly beloved brethren, let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that he would vouchsafe to ✠ bless these his servants in the order of acolytes; that, bearing visible light in their hands, they may also show forth spiritual light [in their manners; by the help of our Lord Jesus] Christ, who with him and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth.

¶ The deacon: Let us bow [the knee]. Arise. The blessing of acolytes follows.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who by Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord and by his apostles didst send into this world the light of thy brightness; and who, that thou mightest blot out the ancient handwriting of our death, didst will that he should be fastened to the most glorious standard of the cross, and that blood and water should flow from his side for the salvation of mankind: vouchsafe to ✠ bless these thy servants N. in the office of acolytes; that for the kindling of the light of thy Church, and for the supplying of wine and water for the making of the Blood of Christ thy Son in the offering of the eucharist, they may faithfully minister at thy holy altars. Kindle, O Lord, their minds and hearts to the love of thy grace, that, enlightened by the countenance of thy brightness, they may faithfully serve thee in holy Church. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee.

¶ Let us pray.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who didst speak to Moses and Aaron that the lamps should be lit in the tabernacle of witness: vouchsafe to bless these thy servants N., that they may be acolytes in thy Church. Through [our Lord].

¶ Prayer.

Almighty and everlasting God, fountain of light and source of goodness, who by Jesus Christ thy Son, the true light, hast enlightened the world, and hast redeemed it by the mystery of his passion: vouchsafe to ✠ bless these thy servants N., whom we consecrate in the office of acolytes, beseeching thy mercy that thou wouldest enlighten their minds with the light of thy knowledge, and water them with the dew of thy loving-kindness; that they may so fulfil the ministry they have received, by thy help, that they may be found worthy to attain unto an everlasting reward. Through the same Lord.

¶ And note that certain bishops, before or after each order, address the ordained and instruct them concerning their office, exhorting them to do well and to pray for him; and they kiss his hand, and he blesses them as they withdraw. Then, the fourth lesson having been read and the gradual and prayer said, the bishop, calling the acolytes to him, shall enjoin on them the Hours of the Blessed Virgin to be said daily, and that they pray for him, laying on them something definite if he will. Then let the archdeacon say: Let those who have been ordained acolytes withdraw.

¶ Then let the fifth lesson be read, The angel of the Lord. When it has been read, let the tract or alleluia follow. Afterwards let the bishop say: Peace be with you. And let him say the prayer, O God, who for the three children, and the prayer for those to be ordained, under one Through [our] Lord.

The Ordination of Subdeacons

¶ These things being finished, let the archdeacon say: Let those who are to be ordained subdeacons come forward. The bishop, sitting, shall say to them:

It behoves the subdeacon to prepare the things needful for the ministry of the altar, and humbly to minister to the deacon.

¶ And if he will, he may here further inform them of their office, as is had above at the beginning of the Pontifical book. Let him do the same likewise in each of the following orders.

¶ The subdeacons therefore coming forward, when they are ordained, because they do not receive the laying on of hands, shall receive from the hand of the bishop the empty paten with the chalice; and from the hand of the archdeacon they shall receive a full cruet with a hand-basin and towel; the bishop saying to them: See whose ministry is delivered to you. At the end let him conclude thus, reading plainly:

Therefore, if hitherto ye have been slow to come to church, from henceforth ye must be diligent; if hitherto drowsy, henceforth watchful; if hitherto drunken, henceforth sober; if hitherto unseemly, henceforth chaste: wherefore I admonish you so to show yourselves that ye may be able to please God.

¶ The preface of subdeacons, they bowing, the bishop saying:

Dearly beloved brethren, let us pray God and our Lord that upon these his servants, whom he hath vouchsafed to call to the office of subdeacon, he would pour forth his ✠ blessing and grace; that, serving faithfully in his sight, they may obtain the rewards predestined for the saints.

[...]

¶ The deacon: Let us bow the knee. It follows: Arise. The blessing of subdeacons.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to bless these thy servants, whom thou hast vouchsafed to call to the office of subdeacon; that thou mayest set them in thy holy sanctuary as diligent and careful watchmen of the heavenly host, and that they may faithfully minister at thy holy altars; and may the spirit of wisdom and understanding rest upon them, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and godliness; and fill them with the spirit of thy fear, and strengthen them in the divine ministry, that, obedient in deed and ready at thy word, they may obtain thy grace. Through [our] Lord, in the unity of the same.

The Maniple and Tunicle

¶ Then the bishop shall deliver to each of them the maniple on the left [arm], saying:

Receive the maniple, by which is signified the fruit of good works; fulfil thy ministry; for the Lord is able to increase grace unto thee at the end. Who liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Peace be with thee.

¶ For putting on the tunicle let the bishop say:

The Lord clothe thee with the garment of salvation, and compass thee ever with the robe of gladness.

¶ Being vested in it, let him forthwith read the epistle, and let the tract or alleluia with the sequence follow. And let [the bishop] enjoin on them the canonical hours to be said daily, and that they pray for him; granting an indulgence of twenty days to those who hear their first epistles.

¶ Then, before the gospel, let those who are to be ordained deacons and also priests be called together by the archdeacon, he saying thus: Let those who have been ordained subdeacons withdraw; let those who are to be ordained deacons come forward.

The Presentation of Deacons and Priests

¶ Then let those who are to be ordained deacons and priests come forward with their vestments; and, all standing, let the archdeacon or another examiner offer them to the bishop, who sits, humbly entreating in this manner:

Holy mother Church Catholic asks that ye ordain these subdeacons here present to the diaconate, and the deacons to the burden of the priesthood.

¶ The bishop, sitting, asks him: Knowest thou them to be worthy? Let him who offers them answer:

So far as human frailty allows to be known, I know and testify that they are worthy of the burden of this office.

¶ And the bishop, standing, shall say:

By the help of the Lord God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, we choose these into the order of deacon or of priest. And if any man hath anything against them, for God's sake and on God's behalf let him come forth and say it; but let him be mindful of his own condition.

The Litany

¶ Afterwards, the bishop being prostrate before the altar with the priests and levites to be ordained, let the litany be begun, which serves in common for the other offices of the Pontifical below. Some say the litany at the beginning, before every order; but the Roman Church says this litany in this manner here only.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us.

O God the Father of heaven, have mercy upon us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy upon us.

Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Saint Michael, pray for us. Saint Gabriel, pray for us. Saint Raphael, pray for us. All ye holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us. All ye holy orders of blessed spirits, pray for us.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us.

Saint Peter, pray for us. Saint Paul, pray for us. Saint Matthew, pray for us. All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us. All ye holy disciples of the Lord, and Innocents, pray for us.

Saint Silvester, pray for us. Saint Gregory, pray for us. Saint Martin, pray for us. Saint Nicholas, pray for us. Saint Augustine, pray for us. All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.

Saint Benedict, pray for us. Saint Maurus, pray for us. Saint Giles, pray for us. All ye holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us. Saint Agatha, pray for us. Saint Agnes, pray for us. [...]

From the desire of vainglory, deliver us, O Lord. From all uncleanness of mind and body, deliver us, O Lord. From anger and hatred and all ill will, deliver us, O Lord. From unclean thoughts, deliver us, O Lord. From blindness of heart, deliver us, O Lord. From lightning and tempest, deliver us, O Lord. From sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord. From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.

By the mystery of thy holy incarnation, deliver us, O Lord. By thy coming, deliver us, O Lord. By thy holy nativity, deliver us, O Lord. By thy holy circumcision, deliver us. By thy baptism and holy fasting, deliver us, O Lord. By thy death and burial, deliver us, O Lord. By thy glorious resurrection, deliver us. [...]

That thou wouldest spare us, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to rule and defend thy holy Church, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve the lord apostolic, and our bishop, and all ecclesiastical orders in holy religion, we beseech thee to hear us.

¶ Here let the bishop rise and take the staff in his hand, turned towards those to be ordained, and say by himself:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless these elect who are to be ordained, we beseech thee to hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless and ✠ sanctify these elect who are to be ordained, we beseech thee to hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless, ✠ sanctify and ✠ consecrate these elect who are to be ordained, we beseech thee to hear us.

Litany Petitions for Other Pontifical Offices (not part of this ordination)

¶ [The edition prints here the petitions substituted when this common litany is used at other pontifical offices. They do not belong to the ordination of deacons and priests.]

¶ At the consecration of a bishop is said: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve our brother N., chosen bishop, in true religion, we beseech thee to hear us. Secondly: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to bless and ✠ sanctify this thine elect, we beseech thee to hear us. Thirdly: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless, ✠ sanctify and ✠ consecrate this thine elect, we beseech thee to hear us. [...]

¶ At the blessing of an abbot: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to enlighten and bless our brother, the abbot elect, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, we beseech thee to hear us. [...]

¶ At the blessing of nuns: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless these sisters and preserve them in true religion, we beseech thee to hear us.

¶ At the dedication of a church: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless, ✠ sanctify and ✠ consecrate this house, we beseech thee to hear us. ¶ Of an altar: … this altar … ¶ Of a cemetery: … this cemetery …

¶ At the reconciliation of a church or cemetery: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to reconcile and ✠ consecrate this church (this cemetery), we beseech thee to hear us.

¶ At the blessing of bells: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless, ✠ sanctify and ✠ consecrate this bell, we beseech thee to hear us.

¶ At the dedication of a cross: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless, ✠ sanctify and ✠ consecrate this cross, we beseech thee to hear us.

The Conclusion of the Litany

¶ This done, let the bishop kneel with the ministers until the end of the litany. Let the clerks continue the litany thus:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve our bishops and abbots in holy religion, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to give to our king and our princes peace and true concord and victory, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve the congregations of all thy saints in thy holy service, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to consecrate all Christian people redeemed by thy precious blood, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest render everlasting good things to all our benefactors, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest deliver our souls and the souls of our parents from eternal damnation, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to turn again the eyes of thy mercy upon us, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest make the service of our bondage reasonable, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest raise our minds to heavenly desires, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to behold and relieve the miseries of the poor and of captives, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest give eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we beseech thee to hear us. [...]

¶ Let the cantors take up these verses, the choir repeating each:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to strengthen us ourselves in thy holy service, we beseech thee to hear us. That thou wouldest vouchsafe to hear us, we beseech thee to hear us. Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

The Ordination of Deacons

¶ The litany being ended, let the priests elect return to their places, the levites remaining to be consecrated. And let the bishop say to them, sitting:

It behoves the deacon to minister at the altar, to read the gospel, to baptize and to preach.

¶ And let him inform them further, if he will, as is had at the beginning of the book. They bowing themselves, let the bishop alone, who blesses them, lay his hand upon the head of each, saying alone, secretly: Receive the Holy Ghost; because they are consecrated not to the priesthood but to the ministry.

¶ The preface follows, over the deacons bowing, [the bishop] standing.

[Let us pray, dearly beloved, God the Father Almighty,] that upon these his servants, whom he hath vouchsafed to take to the office of deacon, he would mercifully pour forth the grace of his ✠ blessing, and graciously preserve the gifts of the consecration granted; and mercifully hear our prayers, that what is to be done by our ministry he may graciously follow with his help; and that those whom, so far as we understand, we believe fit to be offered for the performing of the holy mysteries, he may ✠ sanctify with his blessing.

¶ The deacon: Let us bow the knee. Arise. The blessing of deacons, [the bishop] turning towards them.

Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and send forth upon these thy servants the spirit of thy ✠ blessing; that, enriched with the heavenly gift, they may be able both to obtain the grace of thy majesty and to give to others an example of good living.

¶ Reading in a low voice: Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God. [...]

The Consecration Preface

It is very meet and right, fitting and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, giver of honours, distributor of orders and disposer of offices; who, abiding in thyself, makest all things new and orderest all things through thy Word, Power and Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord; by thine everlasting providence preparing them, and dispensing what is fitting for each several time; whose body, that is, thy Church, distinguished by a variety of heavenly graces and knit together by the distinction of its members, united by a wonderful law of the whole frame, thou grantest to grow and spread for the increase of thy temple; appointing the service of the sacred office to serve thy Name in three degrees of ministers; the sons of Levi having been chosen from the beginning, who, abiding in faithful watches in the mystical works of thy house, should possess by an everlasting lot the inheritance of eternal blessing. Upon these thy servants also, we beseech thee, O Lord, look graciously, whom we humbly dedicate to the office of deacon to serve thy sanctuaries. And we indeed, as men ignorant of the divine mind and of the highest reason, judge of their life as far as we can; but from thee, O Lord, the things that are unknown to us do not pass away, and secret things deceive thee not. Thou art the knower of secrets; thou art the searcher of hearts; thou art able to examine their life by heavenly judgement, who ever prevailest both to cleanse what has been committed and to grant what is to be done.

¶ Here, with his hand raised over their heads:

Send forth upon them, we beseech thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, whereby they may be strengthened by the gift of thy sevenfold grace for the faithful performing of the work of the ministry. Let the pattern of every virtue abound in them: modest authority, constant chastity, the purity of innocence, and the spiritual observance of discipline. Let thy commandments shine forth in their manners, that by the example of their chastity they may win the imitation of the holy people; and, showing forth the good testimony of conscience, may continue firm and steadfast in Christ, and by worthy advancement may be found worthy, through thy grace, to receive higher things from the lower degree.

¶ In a low voice, without note: Through the same our Lord. In the unity of the same.

The Stole and the Book of the Gospels

¶ Then let him put the stole on each over the left shoulder, down to under the right arm, saying:

Receive the stole of immortality; fulfil thy ministry; for God is able to increase grace unto thee.

¶ Let the bishop add: Peace be with thee. And let the ordained answer secretly: And with thy spirit. After this let him deliver to them one by one the book of the Gospels, saying:

Receive power to read the gospel of God in the Church, as well for the living as for the dead, in the Name of the Lord.

¶ Let the ordained answer: Thanks be to God. The blessing of deacons.

The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. Let us pray.

O Lord, holy Father, giver of the rewards of hope, faith, grace and all progress, who, by the ministries of angels everywhere set in heaven and on earth, spreadest abroad the working of thy will through all the elements: vouchsafe to enlighten these thy servants also with thy special regard; that, ready for thy service, they may grow up as pure ministers at thy holy altars, and, purer by thy pardon, may be found worthy of the degree of those whom thine apostles, with blessed Stephen as their leader and forerunner, by the authority of the Holy Spirit, chose to the number of seven; and, furnished with all the virtues with which thou oughtest to be served, they may be strong. Through our Lord. In the unity of the same.

The Dalmatic and the Gospel of the Day

¶ Then let him who is to read the gospel, bowing before the middle of the altar, ask a blessing; and, if he be new, let the bishop deliver to him the dalmatic, saying: The Lord clothe thee with the garment of salvation. Then let the deacon, humbling himself, say: Sir, bid a blessing. Let the bishop answer:

The Lord be in thy heart and in thy mouth for pronouncing the holy gospel of peace. In the Name of the Father, and so forth. [...]

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Luke 3:1–6)

¶ The gospel having been read, let the bishop enjoin the ordained to pray for him, saying some psalters; and let him give an indulgence of thirty days to those who hear their first gospels. And let him admonish them that they diligently learn the diaconal office: namely, how they ought to minister to the priest, as well in arranging the chalice as the corporals, and the manner of censing and of washing hands, and of performing the other things that belong to them.

The Ordination of Priests

¶ And then, the Creed having been said, before The Lord be with you or the offertory is said, let the priests elect come forward to be consecrated; and let the archdeacon say: Let those who have been ordained deacons withdraw; let those who are to be ordained priests come forward.

¶ And let care be taken concerning every mutilation, chiefly of the hands, which they shall show to the bishop. Sitting, let the bishop say to them without note:

It behoves the priest to offer, to bless, to preside, to preach, to consecrate and to baptize.

¶ And let him inform them further, if he will, as is had at the beginning of the book. Afterwards, the bishop blessing them, standing and holding his hand over their heads, let all the priests who are present stretch out their hands raised over their heads. Afterwards let the bishop, standing, commend [them to] the people, saying:

Let our common desire, our common prayer follow; that these, who by the prayer of the whole Church are prepared for the ministry of the priesthood, may shine in the order of the priestly blessing, and, resplendent in spiritual conversation, may shine by the grace of sanctification; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth.

¶ The preface of the consecration of priests.

Let us pray, dearly beloved, God the Father Almighty, that upon these his servants, whom he hath chosen for the office of priest, he would multiply heavenly gifts; and that what they receive by his favour they may obtain by his help. [...]

¶ The deacon: Let us bow the knee. Arise. The blessing of priests.

Hear us, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, and pour forth upon these thy servants the ✠ blessing of the Holy Spirit and the power of spiritual grace; that those whom we offer to the sight of thy loving-kindness to be consecrated thou mayest follow with the everlasting bounty of thy gift.

¶ Reading in a low voice: Through our Lord. In the unity of the same.

The Consecration Preface

¶ Raising his voice, the right hand of the bishop and of the other priests being raised over them: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

It is very meet and right, fitting and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, giver of honours and distributor of all dignities, through whom all things are perfected, through whom all things are made firm, [...] the increase of rational nature being ever enlarged for the better by an order disposed with fitting reason. Whence also the priestly degrees and the offices of the levites, instituted with mystical sacraments, have grown; so that, when thou hadst set high priests over the governing of the peoples, thou didst choose for the fellowship and help of their work men of a following order and of the second dignity. So also in the wilderness thou didst spread abroad the spirit of Moses into the minds of seventy wise men, using whom as helpers among the people he easily governed countless multitudes. [...] By this providence, O Lord, thou didst add to the apostles of thy Son teachers as companions of the faith, with whom they filled the whole world with second preachings. Wherefore, O Lord, we beseech thee, grant these helps to our infirmity also, who, the frailer we are, the more we need them. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, to these thy servants the dignity of the priesthood; and renew in their inward parts the spirit of holiness; that they may hold the office of the second rank received from thee, O God, and by the example of their conversation may commend the strictness of good manners; let them be provident fellow-workers of our order; and let the pattern of all righteousness shine forth in them, that, being about to render a good account of the stewardship committed to them, they may obtain the rewards of everlasting blessedness.

¶ Let it be ended in a low voice: Through the same our Lord. In the unity of the same.

The Stole and Chasuble

¶ Here let the bishop draw the stole over the right shoulder to the breast, saying to each:

Receive the yoke of the Lord; for his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.

¶ Here let him vest them with the chasuble about the shoulders only, saying to each one:

The Lord clothe thee with the stole of innocence. ℟. Thanks be to God. [...]

Receive the priestly vesture, by which charity is understood; for God is able to increase grace unto thee, and a perfect work.

The Consecration

¶ The consecration follows. The Lord be with you.

O God, author of all sanctification, whose is true consecration and full blessing: do thou, O Lord, pour forth the gift of thy ✠ blessing upon these thy servants, whom we dedicate to the honour of the priesthood; that by the gravity of their actions and the strictness of their living they may prove themselves elders, instructed in those disciplines which Paul set forth to Titus and Timothy; that, meditating in thy law day and night, they may believe what they shall read, teach what they shall believe, and practise what they shall teach; that they may show in themselves righteousness, constancy, mercy, fortitude and the other virtues; that they may give examples and confirm by admonition, and keep pure and undefiled the gift of their ministry; and by the service of thy people may transform bread and wine into the Body and Blood of thy Son by spotless blessing; and that, in inviolable charity, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, in the day of the just and eternal judgement, with pure conscience, full faith, and full of the Holy Spirit, they may render their account. Through the same Lord. In the unity.

Veni Creator

¶ This prayer being finished, let him begin the hymn with a loud voice.

Come, Creator Spirit, visit the minds of thine own; fill with grace from on high the hearts which thou hast created.

Thou who art called the Comforter, gift of God most high, the living spring, fire, charity, and the spiritual anointing.

Thou sevenfold in thy gift, thou finger of God's right hand, thou duly promised of the Father, enriching our throats with speech.

Kindle light in our senses, [pour love into our hearts,] strengthening the weakness of our body with thy perpetual power.

Drive far away the enemy, and give us peace forthwith; so, with thee as our guide going before, may we shun all that is hurtful.

Grant that through thee we may know the Father, and know also the Son; and may believe at all times in thee, the Spirit of them both.

Praise be to the Father with the Son, and to the Holy Paraclete; and may the Son send us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Blessing and Anointing of the Hands

¶ The hymn being finished, all rising, let the bishop, standing, bless the outspread hands of those to be ordained:

Bless, O Lord, and sanctify these hands of thy priests, for consecrating the sacrifices which are offered for the sins and negligences of the people, and for blessing the other things that are necessary for its uses; and grant, we beseech thee, that whatsoever they bless may be blessed, and whatsoever they hallow may be hallowed; O Saviour of the world, who livest and reignest.

¶ Afterwards let the bishop, having laid aside the gloves and taken the ring again, sit, and with a towel spread over his knees, take the holy oil, with which let chrism be mixed, because in the consecration of the chrism mention is made of the ecclesiastical orders to be perfected by it. And let him make crosses over both hands, from the right thumb to the left forefinger and from the left thumb to the right forefinger, and say to each:

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to consecrate and ✠ sanctify these hands by this anointing and our ✠ blessing; that whatsoever they consecrate may be consecrated, and whatsoever they bless may be blessed and sanctified. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Delivery of the Chalice and Paten

¶ This done, let the anointed one anoint both hands. And afterwards let the bishop wash and dry his hands, and take the paten with the oblations and the chalice with wine, and give to each, between the forefingers and middle fingers, the cup of the chalice with the paten, the hands remaining anointed, saying thus:

Receive power to offer sacrifice to God, and to celebrate mass, as well for the living as for the dead. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Rest of the Mass

¶ Then let there be said: The Lord be with you. Let us pray. And let the offertory be sung, and let so many hosts be set out as may suffice for the priests to be ordained to communicate.

¶ After Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, for the blessing let the deacon say: Humble yourselves for the blessing.

May the Almighty Lord bless us of his mercy, and pour into us the sense of saving wisdom. Amen.

May he nourish us with the teachings of the catholic faith, and make us persevering in holy works. Amen.

May he turn your steps from error, and show you the way of peace and charity. Amen.

Which may he vouchsafe to grant, whose kingdom and empire endure without end, world without end. Amen.

The blessing of God Almighty, the ✠ Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, descend upon you and remain always. Amen.

¶ The blessing having been given, let the priests, and also the levites if they will, come to the peace and communion.

The Second Imposition of Hands

¶ Before the collect at the completion is said, let the bishop lay his hands upon the head of each, saying:

Receive the Holy Ghost: whose sins thou dost remit, they shall be remitted unto them; and whose sins thou dost retain, they shall be retained.

¶ Then let him draw down the chasuble of each to the full over the shoulders, kissing him and saying: Peace be with thee. Let the ordained answer: And with thy spirit. And by the hands let him commend himself to their prayers, saying: Pray for me, brother. Their special blessing follows.

The blessing of God the Father, and of the ✠ Son, and of the Holy Ghost descend upon you; that ye may be blessed in the priestly order, and offer acceptable sacrifices for the sins and offences of the people to Almighty God, to whom be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

¶ All things being finished, let the bishop set before them:

Since the thing that ye are about to handle is perilous enough, dearly beloved brethren, I admonish you that ye diligently and decently learn the order of the whole mass, and the consecration, and the fraction, and the communion, from other priests already taught, before ye presume to sing mass.

¶ Here let some daily penance be enjoined on them: the psalm Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up (Psalm 25), or some other psalm, or an antiphon with versicle and prayer of the Trinity, or of the Cross, or of holy Mary. Then let the communion be begun, and the collect of the mass at the completion said.

The Prayers of the Mass for the Ordained

¶ The prayer at mass.

Hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers of thy suppliants, and keep with perpetual defence them that serve thee with devoted heart; that, hindered by no troubles, we may ever render free service to thine offices. Through [our] Lord.

¶ The secret.

Work, we beseech thee, O Lord, in thy mysteries, that we may offer these gifts to thee with worthy minds. Through [our] Lord.

¶ The postcommunion.

Those whom thou refreshest with thy sacraments, O Lord, graciously raise up with continual help; that we may receive the effect of thy redemption both in the mysteries and in our manners. Through [our] Lord.

The Examination (concluded)

¶ [The beginning of the rite and the earlier questions of the examination are wanting from this text, which begins in the middle of the questions on the faith.]

[...] [on the fortieth day] after the resurrection, with the flesh in which he rose, and with his soul, ascending into heaven, and sitting at the right hand of the Father; thence to come to judge the quick and the dead, and to render to every man according to his works, whether they be good or evil? ¶ I assent, and so I believe.

¶ Question. Dost thou believe also the Holy Spirit, full and perfect and true God, proceeding from the Father and the Son, coequal and coessential, co-almighty and coeternal in all things with the Father and the Son? ℟. I believe.

¶ Question. Dost thou believe this Holy Trinity to be not three gods but one God, almighty, eternal, invisible and unchangeable? ℟. I believe.

¶ Question. Dost thou believe the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church to be the one true Church, in which is given one baptism and the true remission of all sins? ℟. I believe.

¶ Question. Dost thou also anathematize every heresy that exalteth itself against this holy catholic Church? ℟. I anathematize it.

¶ Question. Dost thou believe also the true resurrection of this same flesh which thou now bearest, and the life everlasting? ℟. I believe.

¶ Question. Dost thou believe also that of the New and Old Testament, of the Law and the Prophets and the Apostles, there is one author, God and Lord almighty? ℟. I believe.

¶ And let it be said to him:

May this faith be increased unto thee by the Lord, unto true and eternal blessedness, dearly beloved brother in Christ.

¶ And let all answer: Amen. Being thus examined and well instructed, with the consent of clergy and laity and the assembly of the bishops of the whole province, let him be ordained in the Name of the Lord.

The Opening of the Mass and the Litany

¶ Then let the cantor begin the antiphon at the introit, and the rest after the custom. The prayer follows.

Be present at our supplications, Almighty God, that what is to be done by the ministry of our lowliness may be fulfilled by the working of thy power. Through [our] Lord.

¶ And let the rest be sung after the custom as far as the repetition of the Alleluia, or as far as the last verse of the tract. Meanwhile let the archdeacon go out with the acolytes and subdeacon, and vest the elect himself with dalmatic, chasuble and sandals; and let the bishops, vested in copes, lead him up before the altar; and the archbishop, turning to those standing round, shall say this prayer:

[Let us pray,] dearly beloved, that the goodness of Almighty God, providing for the benefit of the Church, may grant to this man the bounty of his grace. Through [our Lord].

¶ And at once let the litany be sung by two bishops, and let the bishops prostrate themselves together with the elect before the altar upon carpets; and when the verse That thou wouldest preserve our archbishop has been said, let him himself say the verses: That thou wouldest vouchsafe to bless this elect; That thou wouldest vouchsafe to bless and sanctify this elect; [...]

The Consecration

[...] [Be favourable, O Lord, to our supplications, and, inclining upon this thy servant] the horn of priestly grace, pour forth upon him the power of thy blessing. Through our Lord. In the unity of the same.

¶ What follows is said after the manner of a preface. World without end. Amen. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

It is very meet and right, fitting and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, honour of all dignities that serve thy glory in sacred orders; O God, who, instructing Moses thy servant in the intimacy of secret converse, among other teachings of heavenly worship concerning the fashion of the priestly vesture also, didst command that Aaron thy chosen should be clothed in mystic robe in the holy rites; that posterity following might take the sense of understanding from the examples of those before, lest the instruction of thy teaching should be wanting to any age; since both among the ancients the very outward form of the signs obtained reverence, and among us the experience of the realities is more certain than the riddles of the figures. For the habit of that former priesthood is the adornment of our mind; and it is no longer the honour of garments that commends the high-priestly glory to us, but the splendour of souls; because those things also which then pleased fleshly eyes required rather that the things signified in them should be understood. And therefore, we beseech thee, O Lord, grant this grace to this thy servant, whom thou hast chosen for the ministry of the high priesthood: that whatsoever those veils signified in the brightness of gold, in the sparkle of jewels, and in the variety of manifold work, may shine forth in his manners and actions. Fulfil, O Lord, in thy priest the sum of thy ministry, and, furnished with the ornaments of all glorifying, sanctify him with the dew of heavenly ointment.

The Anointing of the Head

¶ Here let him put chrism on his head gently in the form of a cross, saying:

Let thy head be anointed and consecrated with heavenly blessing in the pontifical order. In the Name of the ✠ Father, and of the Son, and of the ✠ Holy Ghost. Amen. Peace be with thee. ℟. And with thy spirit.

¶ Then let all the bishops anoint his head with their hands; and let the clergy sing this antiphon:

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. The Lord commanded the blessing for evermore.

¶ Psalm: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133). After each verse let the clergy repeat the antiphon; and let the metropolitan say what follows after the manner of a preface.

Let this, O Lord, flow abundantly upon his head; let this run down upon his lips; let this descend to the uttermost parts of his whole body; that the power of thy Spirit may both fill his inward parts and cover his outward. Let there abound in him constancy of faith, purity of love, sincerity of peace. Let his feet by thy gift be beautiful for preaching the gospel of peace, for bringing glad tidings of thy good things. Give him, O Lord, the ministry of reconciliation, in words and in deeds, in the power of signs and wonders. Let his speech and his preaching be not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Give him, O Lord, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, that he may use, and not boast of, the power which thou givest, for edification and not for destruction. Whatsoever he shall bind on earth, let it be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever he shall loose on earth, let it be loosed also in heaven. Whose sins he shall retain, let them be retained; and whose he shall forgive, do thou forgive. He that curseth him, let him be cursed; and he that blesseth him, let him be filled with blessings. Let him be a faithful and wise servant, whom thou, O Lord, mayest set over thy household, to give them meat in due season, and to present every man perfect. Let him be not slothful in care; let him be fervent in spirit. Let him hate pride, love humility, and never forsake it, overcome either by praises or by fear. Let him not put light for darkness, nor darkness for light; let him not call evil good, nor good evil. Let him be debtor both to the wise and to the unwise, that he may obtain fruit from the progress of all. Grant him, O Lord, the episcopal throne for the governing of thy Church and the people committed to him. Be thou his authority; be thou his power; be thou his strength. Multiply upon him thy blessing and grace, that, by thy gift ever fit for entreating thy mercy, he may by thy grace be devout. Through our Lord.

¶ In the unity of the same, let it be said in a lowered voice; and let them answer: Amen.

The Anointing of the Hands

¶ And the blessing being finished, let [the consecrator] confirm the hand and thumb, consecrating it with chrism, saying:

May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who willed that thou shouldest be raised to the dignity of the pontificate, himself pour upon thee the chrism and the liquor of mystical anointing, and make thee fruitful with the abundance of spiritual ✠ blessing; that whatsoever thou blessest may be blessed, and whatsoever thou sanctifiest may be sanctified; and that the laying on of thy consecrated hand, or thumb, may profit all unto salvation. Amen.

The Staff, Ring, Mitre and Gospel

¶ The blessing of the pastoral staff.

O God, upholder of human weakness, bless this staff; and what is outwardly signified by it, may the mercy of thy favour work inwardly in the manners of thy servant. Through [our] Lord.

¶ When the staff is given to the bishop, let the ordainer say:

Receive the staff of the pastoral office; and be thou tenderly severe in correcting vices, holding judgement without anger, soothing the minds of thy hearers in cherishing virtues, not forsaking the strictness of severity in tranquillity.

¶ The blessing of the ring.

Creator and preserver of mankind, giver of spiritual grace, bestower of eternal salvation: do thou, O Lord, send forth thy blessing upon this ring; that he who shall wear it may be armed with the power of heavenly defence, and that it may profit him to the salvation of mind and body. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Another blessing of the ring.

Sanctify, we beseech thee, O Lord, this ring, that thy servant N. who wears it, whom we have consecrated, having been chosen into the episcopal order, may be full of faith and sincere in working, and ever discerning with wholesome consideration in disclosing and closing the mysteries.

¶ For putting the ring on the finger.

Receive the ring, that is, the seal of faith; that, adorned with undefiled faith, thou mayest keep unblemished the spouse of God, that is, the holy Church of God.

¶ The blessing of the mitre.

May God, whose providence hath ordained that the mitre should adorn the head of a bishop, grant by the gift of his mercy that this ornament of the head may be turned, by the ministry of good works, to the adornment of the soul.

¶ When the mitre is given, let it be said:

May God, who hath willed that thou shouldest be distinguished with the honour of the pontifical mitre, mercifully grant that the things figured by the horns of the mitre thou mayest handle bravely and prudently, in heart and mouth, for the protection and salvation of thy soul. Through [our Lord].

¶ The mitre having been given, let him give him the book of the Gospels, saying:

Receive the gospel, and go, preach to the people committed to thee; for God is able to increase his grace unto thee; who liveth and reigneth.

¶ Then let the gospel be read.

The Proper of the Mass

¶ The secret.

Receive, O Lord, the gifts which we offer to thee for thy servant, that thou mayest graciously keep thy gifts in him. Through our Lord. [...]

¶ Within the canon.

This oblation therefore of our service, and of thy whole household, which we offer to thee also for thy servant, whom thou hast vouchsafed to advance to the order of bishop, we beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to accept, and graciously to keep thy gifts in him; that what he hath obtained by divine gift he may fulfil by divine effects.

¶ Postcommunion.

Work in us, we beseech thee, O Lord, the full remedy of thy mercy, and graciously make us such, and so cherish us, that we may be able to please thee in all things. Through [our] Lord.

Another Mass at the Ordination of a Bishop

¶ Collect.

O God, who preparest the wills of thy servants for the observance of an unspeakable sacrament: purify our hearts by thy gifts, that what is to be handled with holy devotion we may perform with sincere minds. Through [our Lord].

¶ Secret.

May this sacrifice, we beseech thee, O Lord, cleanse our offences, and sanctify the bodies and minds of thy subjects for the celebrating of the sacrifice. Through [our Lord].

¶ Within the canon.

This oblation therefore of our service, and of thy whole household, which we offer to thee also for thy servant, whom thou hast vouchsafed to advance to the order of bishop, we beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to accept, and graciously to keep thy gifts in him; that what he hath obtained by divine gift he may attain by divine effects.

¶ Postcommunion.

May this communion, O Lord, purge us from guilt, and make us partakers of the heavenly remedy. Through [our] Lord.

The Bishop's Mass on the Anniversary of his Ordination

¶ Prayer.

O God, who, not by my own merits supporting me but by the sole bounty of thine unspeakable grace, hast willed me to be set over thy household: grant me worthily to fulfil to thee the ministry of the priestly office, and fittingly to serve the ministries of the Church; and grant me, under thy protection in all things, to govern the people committed to me. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Secret.

Keeping, O Lord, to the glory of thy Name the yearly feast of the priestly office, we offer to thee the sacrifice of praise, humbly beseeching that we, who unworthy serve thee in his ministry's stead, may by his prayers be made acceptable. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Within the canon.

This oblation therefore, which I, thy servant and priest, offer to thee because of the day on which thou didst vouchsafe to appoint me a priest in the sacred ministry, I beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to accept; wherefore I entreat thy majesty, that what thou hast vouchsafed to bestow upon me thou wouldest vouchsafe graciously to keep.

¶ Postcommunion.

Let the hearts of thy faithful, we beseech thee, O Lord, be filled with thy consolations; and let them give thee thanks both for the chief pastor of the Church and for the fulness of their desires.