Pontifical of Edmund Lacy (Exeter) (MS used by Edmund Lacy, bp of Exeter 1420–55)

How the Orders Are Celebrated

¶ How the orders are celebrated.

The pontifical office 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. He that is to be ordained should prepare himself by confession before receiving the order. Let him not come in mortal sin. (Extra, De temporibus ordinationum.) Let him not neglect the first tonsure to the ears. Let no one be ordained unless examination go before. Let not the minor orders be received together with the subdiaconate, and much less two sacred orders together, but by degrees (Extra, De temporibus ordinandorum, by letters). Let no one receive an order per saltum, by leaping over a degree. Let him not be ordained by another bishop than his own, nor against his prohibition, nor without a title (Extra, De vita et honestate clericorum); since, according to the Apostle, not by stealth (Extra). Let him hear the mass in which he is ordained entire, and touch all things that are to be touched in the receiving of his order. Orders are not to be received or conferred except at the times appointed by the Church. There are many things which hinder those to be promoted, without fault and yet not without cause: for there ought not to be promoted one unknown, a novice, one maimed in body, one born of an unlawful bed; of the sons of priests, and of serfs, none is to be ordained; 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 on any day whatever, nor at any hour of the day whatever, but at the time of mass.

The Prohibitions before General Orders

¶ How general orders are to be held. First let the sermon be made, if one is to be preached. Afterwards let the following prohibitions be made at general orders, if it please the bishop, to the terror of those who would wrongly creep in.

On the part of God Almighty, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and under pain of the greater excommunication, we forbid that anyone bound by the impediments written below thrust himself, against the decrees of the holy fathers, into receiving orders. First, therefore, secondly and thirdly, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we forbid, under pain of anathema, that anyone thrust himself forward to be ordained, unless his person has first been examined, and he has been entitled with a title and called. Nor let anyone conscious of mortal sin, or excommunicate, or suspended, receive orders, unless he first confess to one having power, and be duly absolved. And lest any be ignorant of the irregulars who by the sacred canons are forbidden orders, we have thought good to specify them one by one and in order. Every homicide. Also an incendiary of churches, or one who violently breaks into them. Also an advocate in a cause of blood, or one notoriously perjured, that is, convicted of perjury in a court. Also an executor of cruel tortures in public administrations. Also a simoniac, who has obtained any benefice or title, or entered religion, in such a way. Also a devisor or abettor of simoniacal bargains. Also an apostate from the faith or from religion, not reconciled. Also one who has knowingly received orders from heretical and schismatic bishops not having the grace and communion of the apostolic see. Also one who, under a title, has made a bargain with his presenter about such title, to restore the same after he has been ordained, or otherwise on such occasion, not to trouble him [for it]; or who has promised, under any colour, an annual pension or any temporal profit to the presenter or to the procurer of his promotion. Also one otherwise promoted to orders per saltum. Also one formerly married, unless this be in a case permitted by law. Also no one who, being excommunicate, has knowingly received orders, or has presumed to minister in those received. Also one twice married, or the husband of a corrupted woman. Also a violator of virgins consecrated to God. Also no sorcerer, or necromancer, or teacher or abettor of forbidden arts. Also one suffering from the grievous disease, the falling sickness, lunacy, or other incurable disease, or maimed in body. Also one illegitimate, unless he has been dispensed. Also a born serf, without the knowledge and will of his lord. Also no one of another diocese, unless he have letters dimissory and also a sufficient title. Also we forbid that anyone receive the order of subdeacon unless he be of the age of eighteen years; of deacon, twenty; of priest, twenty-four, and have reached his twenty-fifth. Also no religious, in law or in fact, not professed. Also no beneficed curate who has not been ordained priest within a year from the time of taking up the cure and obtaining peaceful possession, unless by dispensation, which he has also duly used according to the constitution. Also no one without a true title, or whose title has been reduced to no title, except by our special grace. All and each of whom, while the impediments aforesaid continue, we command, under pain of the greater excommunication noted above, to abstain from receiving such orders until they have been dispensed. And let care always be well taken in all entitling, and against excessive deformity of members in sacred orders, that they be not hunchbacked, or blemished, or otherwise maimed in body, to avoid scandal to the Church and the clergy. Let all who are to be ordained be warned that they depart not before the end of the mass.

The Opening of the Mass and the Presentation

¶ On the appointed day of general orders, the introit of the mass having been said, with Kyrie eleison; and in the prayer and order for those to be ordained, there follows:

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.

¶ Under one [conclusion], Through [our] Lord. Then let the bishop sit before the middle of the altar, and let all who are to be ordained be brought in and stand likewise before the bishop. Then let an archdeacon say with a loud voice, after the manner of a lesson, turned towards the bishop:

Holy mother Church asks, father, that these men, called by us and fit for orders, be consecrated by your fatherhood.

¶ And the bishop to the archdeacon:

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

¶ And 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.

¶ Then the bishop, in a moderate voice:

By the help of our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, dearly beloved brethren, those here present have been chosen into holy orders by us and by the clerks serving this holy see: some to the office of priest, some to the office of deacon and subdeacon, and some to the other ecclesiastical degrees. Therefore we admonish and ask both you of the clergy 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 into 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 condition.

¶ Then let the sermon be made, if one is to be preached. The sermon being said, let the prohibition be made, that no one receive orders unless examined and admitted by examiners lawfully deputed, and so forth. These things being done, all who are to be ordained go out.

The Ordination of Doorkeepers

¶ [The archdeacon says:] Let those who are to be ordained doorkeepers come forward. Then let them come forward to be consecrated before the lesson is read or the gradual sung; and the bishop, sitting with the mitre, shall instruct them: It behoves the doorkeeper to strike the bell, to open the church, and to hold the book for him who preaches. And he shall deliver to them the keys before he says, So act, and so forth; and they shall receive the keys with both hands. Then the bishop, rising, shall deliver to them the keys of the church, [saying:]

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

¶ And the archdeacon shall lead them to the door of the church, that they may shut and open it; and returning let them stand before the steps as before. And when they have returned, the bishop, standing by the horn of the altar towards the south, stretching out his hand over those to be ordained, shall say the prayer:

Dearly beloved brethren, let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that he would vouchsafe to ✠ bless these his servants, 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.

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, and among thine elect may be found worthy to have a share in thy reward. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Then let the bishop sit, and let the first lesson be read, with the gradual; which being said, there follows: Let us pray. And the second prayer is said.

The Ordination of Readers

¶ The second prayer being said, let the archdeacon say: Let those who have been ordained doorkeepers withdraw; let those who are to be ordained readers come forward. Then the bishop, sitting, says to them: It behoves the reader to read what he preaches, to sing the lessons distinctly, and to bless bread and all new fruits. Then the bishop shall deliver to them the lectionary, saying as he goes round:

Receive, and be ye bearers of the word of God; if ye fulfil your office faithfully and profitably, ye shall have part with them that have well ministered the word of God. For your brethren choose you to be readers in the house of our God; acknowledge your office and fulfil it; for God is able to increase faith and grace unto you; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then, returning to the horn of the altar as before, towards the south, let him say over those to be ordained:

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. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Let the bishop say, Let us pray; and the deacon, Let us bow the knee. And the bishop:

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 instructed 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.

¶ Then let the bishop sit, and let the second lesson be read with the gradual, and the third prayer follows.

The Ordination of Exorcists

¶ The archdeacon [says]: Let those who have been ordained readers withdraw, and let those who are to be ordained exorcists come forward. Sitting, the bishop says to them: It belongs to the exorcist to cast out devils, and to tell the people that he who does not communicate should give place, and to pour out water in the ministry. Then the bishop shall deliver to them the book of exorcisms, saying to them as he goes round:

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

¶ And returning as before, let him say over them:

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.

¶ Let us pray. Let us bow the knee, and so forth.

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 the unclean spirits of wickedness, by the word of Christ thy Son our Lord; and may be approved physicians of thy Church, strengthened by the grace of healing and by heavenly power. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Then let the bishop sit, and let the third lesson be read with the gradual, and the fourth prayer follow.

The Ordination of Acolytes

¶ The fourth prayer being said, let the archdeacon say: Let those who have been ordained exorcists withdraw; let those who are to be ordained acolytes come forward. And the bishop shall say to them: It behoves the acolyte to carry the candlestick, to light the lamps of the church, and to minister wine and water for the eucharist. And the bishop shall deliver to them a candlestick with a taper, saying:

Receive the candlestick with the taper, and know that ye are appointed to light the lamps of the church. In the Name of the Lord. Amen.

¶ And afterwards he shall deliver to them an empty cruet, saying:

Receive the cruet, for supplying wine and water for the eucharist of the Blood of Christ. In the Name of the Lord. Amen.

¶ And returning to the horn of the altar as before, let him say:

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 God, world without end. Amen.

¶ Moreover: Let us pray. Let us bow the knee, and so forth.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who by Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord and his apostles didst send into this world the light of brightness; and who, that thou mightest blot out the ancient handwriting of our death, didst will that he should be gloriously fastened to the 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 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 thy holy Church. Through the same [our] Lord. Amen.

¶ 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 and ✠ sanctify these thy servants, that they may be acolytes in thy holy Church. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Let us pray.

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, whom we consecrate to 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.

¶ Then let the bishop sit, and let the fourth lesson be read with the gradual, and the fifth prayer follow with the lesson and tract; these being ended, let the bishop turn to the people and say: Peace be with you, and so forth. The prayer follows; which being ended, let the archdeacon enjoin the acolytes that each of them say three psalters for the state of the Church, of the realm, and of the bishop.

The Ordination of Subdeacons

¶ And he shall add: Let those who have been ordained acolytes withdraw, and let those who are to be ordained subdeacons come forward. When they have been brought in, 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. Then the bishop, rising, shall deliver to each an empty chalice with the paten, to touch; and the archdeacon shall follow him with the cruet and towel and water, the bishop saying as he goes round:

See whose ministry is delivered to you: 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. Therefore I admonish you so to show yourselves that ye may be able to please God.

¶ And then the bishop returns to the horn of the altar and shall say:

Dearly beloved brethren, let us pray God and our Lord that upon 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; by the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, world without end.

¶ Let us pray. Let us bow [the knee], and so forth.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty God, vouchsafe to ✠ bless these thy servants, whom thou hast vouchsafed to choose 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, that thou mayest conform them to the divine mystery, that, obedient in deed and ready at thy word, they may obtain thy grace. Through [our] Lord, in the unity of the same. Amen.

The Maniple and Tunicle

¶ Then the bishop shall deliver to them one by one the maniple, saying to each as he goes round:

Receive the maniple, and fulfil thy ministry; for God is able to increase grace unto thee; who liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.

¶ And he ought to kiss the bishop's hand. Then the bishop shall give the tunicle to him who is to read the epistle, saying:

The Lord clothe thee with the garment of salvation, and ever compass thee about with the robe of righteousness. Amen.

¶ Then, the epistle having been read with the tract, let him enjoin psalters as before.

The Litany

¶ And afterwards let him say: Let those who have been ordained subdeacons withdraw, and let those who are to be ordained deacons come forward. Here some prelates cause those who are to be ordained deacons and priests to be called together; and they being called one by one and brought in, the bishop with the ministers shall prostrate himself before the altar while the litany is sung by the choir. Some, however, say the litany only at the ordination of priests. And always, when it has come to "That thou wouldest...", the bishop, raising himself and turning to those to be ordained, shall say:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless these elect.

¶ [Making] a cross over them; and let the choir answer: We beseech thee to hear us. And the bishop:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless and sanctify these elect.

¶ Again signing a cross over them; and: We beseech thee [to hear us]. And the bishop:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless, ✠ sanctify and ✠ consecrate these elect.

¶ Again signing a cross over them. And let the choir answer: We beseech thee to hear us. And then let the choir continue the litany.

The Ordination of Deacons

¶ The litany being ended, let the priests elect return to their places, the levites remaining to be consecrated. The bishop, sitting, shall say to them: It behoves the deacon to minister at the altar, to read the gospel, to baptize and to preach. Then the bishop, rising, shall alone lay his hand upon them, [saying:]

Receive the Holy Ghost.

¶ And then, returning to the horn of the altar, stretching out his hand over the deacons, let him say:

Let us pray, dearly beloved, God Almighty, that upon these his servants, whom he vouchsafeth to take to the office of deacon, he would mercifully pour forth his blessing and grace, and grant them the gift of consecration, whereby he may bring them to eternal joys.

¶ Let us pray. Let us bow [the knee], and so forth.

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 well-deserving.

¶ [Ending] after the manner of a preface: Through our Lord. And let him say: World without end. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. Lift up your hearts. ℟. We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. ℟. It is meet and right so to do.

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, distributor of good 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 our Lord; by thine everlasting prudence 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 its distinct 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 fixed 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 holy altars. 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; 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. 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 discipline of spiritual observance. Let thy commandments shine forth in their manners, that by the example of their chastity the holy people may gain an imitation; that, showing forth the good testimony of conscience, they 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.

¶ What follows [is said] plainly: Through the same our Lord.

The Stole, the Gospel and the Dalmatic

¶ The preface being ended, the bishop shall then deliver to each of the deacons a stole, saying:

In the name of the Holy Trinity, receive the stole of immortality; fulfil thy ministry; for God is able to increase grace unto thee; who liveth and reigneth world without end.

¶ Then he shall deliver to each of them the book of the Gospels, saying to each one by one as he goes round:

In the name of the Holy Trinity, receive power to read the gospel in the Church of God, as well for the living as for the dead. In the Name of the Lord. Amen.

¶ Then follows: The Lord be with you. Let us pray.

O Lord, holy Father, rewarder of hope, faith, grace and progress, who, by heavenly and earthly mysteries everywhere set in order, spreadest abroad the working of thy power through all the elements: vouchsafe graciously to look upon these thy servants also; that, joined together in 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 also, chose to the number of seven; and, furnished with all the virtues with which thou oughtest to be served, they may be well pleasing. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Then the bishop shall give the dalmatic to one of them, who is to read the gospel, saying:

The Lord clothe thee with the garment of salvation, and may he be in thy heart and in thy mouth for pronouncing the holy gospel of peace. Amen.

¶ The gospel having been read through, and the book kissed by the bishop, let the bishop say, The Lord be with you; and let him perform the offertory and all things in the mass as far as the washing of hands. Meanwhile let the archdeacon enjoin each of them three psalters as before.

The Ordination of Priests

¶ And let him say: Let those who have been ordained deacons withdraw; and let those who are to be ordained priests come forward. When they have been called one by one and brought in, the bishop with the ministers shall prostrate himself before the altar while the litany is sung by the choir, if it has not been sung already. And then let the choir continue the litany. The litany being ended, the bishop, sitting, shall say to them: It behoves the priest to offer, to bless, to pray, to preach, to consecrate and to baptize. And then the bishop, going round, shall lay his right hand upon the head of each, and all his ministers who are priests shall hold their hands raised over the heads of those to be ordained. Afterwards let the bishop admonish the people, saying without note:

Let our common desire, our common prayer follow; that by the prayer of the whole Church those who are prepared for the ministry of the priesthood may shine with the priestly blessing, and, resplendent in spiritual conversation, may shine forth by the grace of sanctification; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

¶ And returning to his place, let him say:

Let us pray, dearly beloved, God 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.

¶ Let us pray. The deacon: Let us bow the knee. Arise.

Hear us, O Lord our God, and pour forth upon these thy servants the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the power of priestly grace; that those whom we offer to the sight of thy loving-kindness to be consecrated may obtain the gift of thy everlasting bounty. Through our Lord, and so forth, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God.

¶ And it is said after the manner of a preface: World without end. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks.

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 and distributor of all dignities, 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 degree and the office 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 their fellowship and the 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 he easily governed countless multitudes among the people. So upon Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron, thou didst pour out the abundance of the first fulness, that the ministry of priests might suffice for the saving sacrifices and the sacraments of a more frequent office. 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 preachers. Wherefore, we beseech thee, O Lord, grant these helps to our infirmity also, who, the frailer we are, the more we need them. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty Father, to these thy servants the dignity of the priesthood; 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 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 him end in a low voice: Through the same our Lord, and so forth, in the unity of the same.

The Stole and Chasuble

¶ Then let him draw the stole of each from the left shoulder over the right, saying:

Receive the yoke of the Lord; for his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. Peace be with thee. ℟. And with thy spirit.

¶ Afterwards he shall put the chasuble upon each in turn as far as the shoulders, which each shall hold thus folded, hanging down in front, saying to each:

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

¶ The bishop adds:

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

The Consecration

¶ The consecration follows, with The Lord be with you. Let us pray.

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 the apostle set forth to Titus and Timothy; that, meditating in thy law day and night and at all times, 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 example 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 judgement of God, with pure conscience, full faith, and full of the Holy Spirit, they may render their account. Through the same Lord.

Veni Creator and the Anointing of the Hands

¶ Which being said, the bishop with all his ministers shall kneel in the midst before the altar, singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus; and let the choir continue. And let the bishop with his ministers begin each verse of that hymn, and the choir continue. The hymn being said, let the bishop sit as before, and anoint with holy oil mixed with chrism in the paten the hands of each priest to be ordained, from the right thumb to the forefinger of the left hand, then from the right forefinger to the left thumb, saying:

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to consecrate and sanctify these hands by this holy anointing and our blessing; that whatsoever they consecrate may be consecrated, and whatsoever they bless may be blessed and sanctified. Through Christ.

¶ And let him join their hands, and let them so hold their hands joined until the end of the mass.

The Delivery of the Chalice and Paten

¶ These things being thus dispatched, let the bishop wash his hands, and afterwards deliver to each a chalice with wine and water, and the paten placed upon it with a host; which let them receive between the forefingers and middle fingers, first the foot of the chalice and then the host in the middle of the paten; saying to each:

Receive power to offer sacrifice to God, and to celebrate masses, as well for the living as for the dead, in the Name of the Lord. ℟. Thanks be to God.

The Rest of the Mass

¶ [Then let him continue] in the mass. The secret which follows for the ordained shall be said after the secret of the mass under one 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.

¶ Let the blessing follow.

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 our steps from error, and show us 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.

¶ Agnus Dei being said, and after the bishop [...] has communicated, let him communicate the priests and levites if he will. And afterwards let him put on the gloves and mitre, and hold the pastoral staff in his left hand, and lay his right hand upon the head of each, [saying:]

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

¶ [And letting down the chasuble] behind, let him say: The peace of the Lord be always with thee. And let the ordained answer: And with thy spirit. And the bishop, clasping the forefingers of both hands of the ordained priest, kissing him, shall say: Pray for me, brother. And then let him return to the altar and give the blessing over the ordained priests:

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, and the Son, and 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.

¶ And let them be admonished attentively:

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 of the host, and the fraction and communion, from other priests already taught, before ye come to celebrate mass.

¶ Which being said, let the postcommunion be said.

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.

¶ And so let the mass be ended. Let there be enjoined on each three masses for the state of the Church: of the Trinity, of the Holy Spirit, and of the blessed Virgin Mary. And let each one ordained wash his hands with salt and water before he leaves the church. Afterwards let an indulgence of forty days be proclaimed to all who hear their first mass.

Minor Orders on Sundays and Feasts

¶ When the bishop wishes to confer minor orders on Sundays or on feasts, [after] the responsories and lessons, the principal prayer having been said, let those to be ordained come together before the bishop, called also one by one by name; and let an archdeacon, or a priest or clerk, [say] with a loud voice: Holy mother Church asks, and so forth, as is said at general orders. Then the bishop shall deliver to them the keys of the church, and all the other things that are held at general orders, omitting the lessons and graduals which are then had at that season.

The Examination of the Bishop Elect

¶ The consecration of bishops.

¶ The consecration of bishops is always to be done on the Lord's day, and their examination and profession before the solemnities of the mass. The elect is to be vested in priestly vestments except the chasuble, instead of which he is vested in a solemn cope; and so the bishops of the province lead him by the hands before the consecrator, who sits upon a faldstool in the midst of the high altar, his back turned to the altar; the seats of the bishops being in the form of a crown on the right and left of the elect. Then let the consecrator say:

The ancient institution of the holy fathers teaches and commands that he who is chosen to the order of bishop be first most diligently examined with all charity concerning the faith of the Holy Trinity, and be questioned on divers matters and manners which befit this governance and which are needful to be kept, according to the saying of the Apostle, Lay hands suddenly on no man; and also that he who is to be ordained be first heard how one appointed under this governance ought to behave himself in the Church of God; and that those who lay the hands of ordination on him may be blameless. By the same authority, therefore, and precept, we ask thee, dearly beloved brother, in sincere charity, whether thou wilt apply all thy prudence, so far as thy nature is capable, to the senses of divine Scripture?

¶ The elect answers: So I will, with all my heart, and consent in all things.

¶ Question. Wilt thou teach the people for whom thou art to be ordained, by words and by examples, the things which thou understandest from the divine Scriptures? I will.

¶ Question. Wilt thou reverently receive, teach and keep the ordinances of the orthodox fathers and the decretal constitutions of the holy and apostolic see? I will.

¶ Wilt thou show faith, subjection and obedience, according to canonical authority, to blessed Peter the apostle, to whom power of binding and loosing was given by God, and to his vicars the Roman pontiffs, and to the holy church of Canterbury, and to me its minister and to my successors? I will. Make thy profession.

¶ Wilt thou restrain thy manners from all evil, and, so far as thou canst with the Lord's help, change them to good? I will.

¶ Question. Wilt thou with God's help keep and teach chastity and sobriety? I will.

¶ Question. Wilt thou ever be given to divine business, and a stranger to earthly business and filthy lucre, so far as human frailty allows thee to be able? I will.

¶ Wilt thou keep humility and patience in thyself, and teach others likewise? I will.

¶ Question. Wilt thou, for the Lord's name, be affable and merciful to the poor and to strangers and to all in need? ℟. I will.

¶ Then let the consecrator say, with his voice somewhat lowered:

The Lord grant thee all these and other good things, and keep thee and strengthen thee in all goodness.

¶ And let all answer: Amen.

¶ Dost thou believe, according to the understanding and capacity of thy mind, the Holy Trinity, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God almighty, and the whole Godhead in the Trinity consubstantial, coeternal and co-almighty, of one will, power and majesty, creator of all creatures; from whom are all things, in whom are all things, through whom are all things that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, bodily and spiritual? I assent, and so I believe.

¶ Dost thou believe each several Person in the Holy Trinity to be one God, true, full and perfect? I believe.

¶ Dost thou believe the Son of God himself, the Word of God, eternally begotten of the Father, consubstantial, co-almighty, equal to the Father in all things in his Godhead; born in time of the Holy Spirit from Mary ever virgin, with a reasonable soul; having two nativities, one eternal from the Father, the other temporal from his mother; true Lord and true man, proper and perfect in each nature; not adopted nor a phantom, but the one and only Son of God in two and of two natures, but in the singleness of one Person; impassible and immortal in his Godhead, but in his manhood suffering for us and for our salvation with true suffering of the flesh, and buried; and rising from the dead on the third day with true resurrection of the flesh; 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 believe.

¶ Question. Dost thou believe this 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, true, one Church, in which is given one baptism and the true remission of all sins? I believe.

¶ 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, the Lord almighty? I believe.

¶ Then let the consecrator say:

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

¶ Let all answer: Amen.

The Opening of the Mass

¶ The scrutiny being completed, let the elect reverently kiss the hand of the consecrator, according to the rite of the Roman Church. Then let the consecrator make the confession by the altar in the accustomed manner, the elect remaining beside him; and let all the bishops standing before their seats do likewise with their clerks. The confession being ended, let the consecrator go up to the altar. The cantor beginning the introit of the mass, let the elect be led to his place; let the acolytes put on him the sandals, tunicle, dalmatic and chasuble. After the consecrator has said the first collect of the office of the mass, let him say under one Through [our] Lord the collect for the elect:

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.

The Litany

¶ And let [the mass] proceed as far as the repetition of the alleluia or the last verse of the tract. Then, the bishop sitting, they lead the elect before the altar before him, [and he says:] It behoves a bishop to judge, to interpret, to consecrate, to confirm, to offer and to baptize. And at once let the litany be begun; and meanwhile let both the consecrator and the elect lie prostrate towards the altar, so that the elect remain [so] until it has come to: That thou wouldest [vouchsafe to preserve] the service of our bondage, and so forth. Then [the consecrator, rising and] turning to him that is to be consecrated, holding the pastoral staff in his left hand, [says] first:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless this elect here present.

¶ The choir: We beseech thee to hear us. Secondly:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless and ✠ sanctify this elect here present.

¶ We beseech thee [to hear us]. [Thirdly:]

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to ✠ bless and ✠ sanctify and ✠ consecrate this elect here present.

¶ We beseech thee [to hear us]. Again let him lie prostrate, the cantors continuing the litany to the end.

The Imposition of Hands and the Consecration

¶ When it is ended, let all rise except the elect; and let two bishops place and hold the book of the Gospels, closed, upon his neck and between his shoulders; the consecrator laying both [hands upon the head] of the elect, saying to him:

Receive the Holy Ghost.

¶ And let all the bishops standing by do and say the same. This ended, let the consecrator begin the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, and so forth; and let it be sung to the end. And the consecrator, in a moderate voice:

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

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

¶ And let him say, with joined hands, before [the preface]: Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee God; afterwards, after the manner [of a preface]: World without end. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. It is meet.

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 by the inspiration 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 in thy priest the sum [of thy ministry], and, furnished with the adornment of all glorifying, sanctify him with the dew of heavenly ointment.

The Anointing of the Head

¶ Here let him put chrism with his thumb on the crown of the head of the elect in the form of a cross, the head having first been gently bound round with a twisted linen cloth, lest the chrism run down into the hair; [and], after the custom of the Roman court, [anoint] with the thumb of the right hand the whole tonsure, 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 let this be repeated for each singly; and meanwhile let there be sung the 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; [there] the Lord commanded the blessing. Psalm 133: Behold, how good. And after the verse let It is like the precious ointment be repeated. [The consecrator continues:]

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 word 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 shall 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 blesseth him, let him be blessed; and he that curseth him, let him be cursed and filled with curses. Let him be not slothful in care; let him be fervent in spirit; let him be a faithful and wise servant, whom thou mayest set over thy household, to give them meat in due season, and to present every man perfect. Let him hate pride, love humility and truth, and never forsake it, overcome either by pride or by fear. Let him not put light for darkness, nor darkness for light; nor call evil good, nor good evil; but, debtor both to the wise and to the unwise, let him obtain all fruit. 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.

¶ Which let him say plainly, reading; and let all answer: Amen.

The Anointing of the Hands

¶ This being said, the consecrator confirms the hand and thumb of the elect, saying:

May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who willed that thou shouldest be raised to the dignity of the pontificate, he who by Samuel anointed David to be king and prophet, pour upon thee by our ministry 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 this consecrated hand, or the laying on of the thumb, may profit all unto salvation. Through our Lord, and so forth.

The Staff, Ring, Mitre and Gospel

¶ The prayer being ended, let the pastoral staff be blessed in this manner:

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

¶ Then he shall deliver the staff to the new bishop, saying:

Receive the staff of the pastoral office; that thou mayest be 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. Amen.

¶ Afterwards let him bless the ring, saying:

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 go adorned with this sign of most holy faith may profit unto his eternal salvation in the power of heavenly defence. Through Christ [our] Lord, and so forth. ℟. Amen.

¶ And forthwith let him put the ring upon his finger, saying:

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

¶ Afterwards let the new mitre be blessed.

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. Through Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.

¶ Then let the consecrator put the mitre on the new bishop and say:

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

¶ The mitre having been given, he shall 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 grace unto thee; who liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

¶ And then let the gospel be read. When it has been read, the new bishop, after the custom of the Roman Church, by the institution of Pope Miltiades, has to offer two great loaves, two flagons of wine and two great tapers; but the English Church does not observe these oblations: but, the gospel having been read, let the newly consecrated bishop withdraw, and let two bishops lead him to the place where he is to celebrate mass. Afterwards let the lord consecrator complete the mass he has begun.

The Proper of the Mass

¶ [The secret.]

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

¶ At the breaking of the bread.

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; and [order] our days, and so forth.

¶ Postcommunion.

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

¶ And the elect, consecrated according to the prescribed order, shall bow at his feet, giving thanks; and two of the fellow-bishops lead him by the hands to the place where he will celebrate mass.

The Enthronement and Blessing

¶ When the consecrated bishop comes to the seat of his bishopric, before he is set in the throne, let this prayer be said before the throne itself by some bishop to whom it has been enjoined by the metropolitan.

O God of all honours, God of all dignities that serve thy glory in sacred orders: to this thy servant, whom thou hast given as bishop of an apostolic see and primate of the priests and teacher of thy Church, and hast chosen for the ministry of the high priesthood, grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, this grace, that he may ascend the episcopal throne for the governing of thy Church and all the people.

¶ Here let him be set in the throne; [and this] is said:

Almighty, holy Father, everlasting God, thou hast vouchsafed to set order in the eternal seats; in heaven, O Lord, thy word endureth for ever; where thou hast appointed angels and archangels to thyself each in his order; and under the privilege of the old testament didst ordain Moses and Aaron among thy priests, and Samuel among those that call upon thy name, patriarchs and prophets, to take counsel of thee for thy people; in the new, by thy Son Jesus Christ, thou didst set the holy apostles, and chiefly the apostle Peter, in the chair of honour over the universal Church; and didst number Matthias his fellow in the apostleship and in the chair of honour, and didst call him into the number of all the holy apostles: we beseech thee, of thy universal mercy, in our times give thy grace to our brother N., after the pattern of thy holy apostles sitting in the chair of honour and dignity, that in the sight of thy majesty he may appear worthy of honour. Through, and so forth.

¶ Another prayer.

O Lord Jesus Christ, thou didst choose beforehand thine apostles that by their doctrine they might be set over us; do thou also vouchsafe, after the life of the apostles, to teach, bless and instruct this bishop in doctrine, that he may keep his life spotless and unharmed; who with the Father [livest and reignest].

¶ The blessing of the same.

May the people honour thee; may God help thee; whatsoever thou shalt ask, may the Lord grant thee; with honour, with chastity, with knowledge, with bounty, with charity, with humility. Be thou worthy; be thou humble; be thou just; be thou sincere; be thou an apostle of Christ. Receive the blessing and the apostleship, which remaineth on this day; on the day to come may angels be at thy right hand and at thy left; may the Church be thy mother; may God be thy father; may the angels be thy friends; may the apostles be thy brethren and keep the degree of thine apostleship. May God confirm thee in righteousness, in holiness, in holy Church. May angels receive thee; and peace be with thee inseparable, through the Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen.

The Bishop's Mass on the Anniversary of his Ordination

¶ The mass of a bishop for himself on the day of his ordination.

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, to govern in all things the people committed to me. O Creator and ruler of the world, graciously attend to the prayers of my lowliness; and make me thy servant, whom, no merits supporting me but by the infinite bounty of thy mercy, thou hast granted to serve the heavenly mysteries, a worthy minister of thy holy altars; and let what is uttered by the voice to be celebrated there be confirmed by thy sanctification. Through [our Lord].

¶ Over the oblations.

Keeping, O Lord, to the glory of thy Name the yearly feast of the beginning of our priesthood, we offer to thee the sacrifice of praise, humbly beseeching thee that by the prayers of him in whose ministry's stead we have served thee anointed, we may 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 graciously to accept; wherefore I entreat thy majesty, that what thou hast vouchsafed to bestow upon me thou wouldest vouchsafe graciously to keep. Through [our Lord].

¶ [The blessing.]

May the blessing of God, who hath vouchsafed to advance me, an unworthy sinner, to the office of bishop, enlighten and sanctify you with his blessing; and may he give me by his grace the power of working well, and to you the most perfect obedience of his service. Amen. And may he so grant us to be filled in this present life with spiritual teachings and good works, that he may bring us in together with the rest of his sheep to the pastures of eternal life. Amen.

¶ Postcommunion.

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