Magdalen College Pontifical (12th-cent. MS)

The Ordination of Doorkeepers

[...]

¶ [... when they have been] instructed by the archdeacon how they ought to behave in the house of God, at the suggestion of the archdeacon the bishop shall deliver to them the keys of the church from the altar, saying:

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

¶ [Added in the margin by a later hand:] The hymn being ended, let the bishop say, Let us pray; and the deacon, Let us bow the knee. And when the prayer has been said, let the first lesson be read at once and the gradual sung. And when the second prayer has been said with genuflexion as above, before the lesson let the archdeacon, or him to whom it has been enjoined, proclaim: Let those who are to be ordained doorkeepers come forward; calling each by name to his title. And so likewise of the other orders, at each of the prayers.

¶ And the archdeacon shall deliver to them the door of the church.

¶ The preface of doorkeepers.

Dearly beloved brethren, let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that he would vouchsafe to bless these his servants, whose names are here recited, N., whom he hath vouchsafed to choose into the office of doorkeepers; that they may have most faithful care [in the house of God] by day and by night, for the marking of the appointed hours and for calling upon the Name of the Lord. Who liveth and reigneth.

¶ The blessing of the same. Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee. It follows: Arise.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to bless these thy servants in the office of doorkeepers; that among the doorkeepers of the 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].

The Ordination of Readers

¶ [When readers are ordained, let the bishop speak] a word to the people, declaring their faith, their life and their ability. Afterwards he shall deliver to them the lectionary from which they are to read, saying:

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 ministered the word of God.

¶ The preface of readers.

Let us pray, dearly beloved, God Almighty, that upon these his servants, whose names are here recited, N., 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, and fulfil the same in their works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth [and reigneth].

¶ The blessing of them. Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee.

¶ Prayer.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to bless these thy servants in the office of readers; that, distinguished and adorned by diligence in reading, they may make the grace of the church resound with spiritual devotion in their measures. Through our Lord.

¶ [Added in the margin by a later hand:] Let the second lesson be read and the gradual sung. Then follows the third prayer as above, and the readers are called.

The Ordination of Exorcists

¶ The ordination of exorcists. When exorcists are ordained, they shall receive from the hand of the bishop the little book, that is, the service book, in which the exorcisms are written, the bishop 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, whose names are here recited, N., in the office of exorcists; that they may be spiritual physicians for casting out devils from bodies possessed, with all their manifold wickedness. Through our Lord.

¶ The blessing of them. Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee.

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

The Ordination of Acolytes

¶ [When acolytes are ordained, they shall first be taught by the] bishop how they ought to behave in their office; and they shall receive a candlestick with a taper, the bishop saying:

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

¶ Then they shall receive an empty cruet from the bishop, he saying:

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

¶ [In the margin:] As above; and the acolytes are called.

¶ The preface of acolytes.

Dearly beloved brethren, let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that he would vouchsafe to bless these his servants, whose names are here recited, N., in the office 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 [liveth and reigneth].

¶ The blessing of the same. Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee. It follows: Arise.

¶ Prayer.

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 N., that they may be acolytes in thy Church. Through [our Lord].

¶ Another prayer.

Almighty and everlasting God, fountain of light and source of truth, 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 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.

¶ Another.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who by Christ Jesus thy Son didst send into this world the light of brightness, and didst will that he should be fastened to the most glorious standard of the cross and suffer, that he might blot out the ancient handwriting of our death; and by the apostles didst send into this world the light of spiritual grace: 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 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 the Church. Through the same.

¶ [When subdeacons are ordained, because they] do not receive the laying on of hands, they shall receive from the hand of the bishop an empty paten and an empty chalice, the bishop saying:

See whose ministry is delivered to you; and 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 ye have been defiled by any vice, henceforth ye must be pure and chaste. Therefore I admonish you so to show yourselves that ye may be able to please God.

¶ Afterwards they shall receive from the archdeacon a cruet with a hand-basin and a towel.

¶ Their preface.

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

¶ The blessing of the same. Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting 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 ministers of the heavenly host, 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 ministry, that, obedient in deed and ready at thy word, they may obtain thy grace. Through [our Lord].

¶ [Fragments of later additions follow in the manuscript:] [...] and the subdeacons are called. [...] is understood the fruit of good works; and fulfil your ministry, for God is able to increase grace unto you. [A still later hand adds:] [...] In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And so forth.

The Ordination of Deacons

¶ [When deacons are ordained, the bishop alone who] blesses them shall lay his hand upon their heads, because they are consecrated not to the priesthood but to the ministry.

¶ Their preface.

Let us pray, dearly beloved, God the Father Almighty, that upon these his servants, whose names are here recited, N., whom he vouchsafeth to take into the holy order, he would mercifully pour forth the grace of his blessing, and grant them the gift of consecration, whereby he may bring them to everlasting rewards. Who liveth [and reigneth].

¶ The blessing. Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee.

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. Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee, God, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

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

¶ Preface.

[It is very meet ... ] 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. 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 keeping of discipline. Let thy commandments shine forth in their manners, that by the example of their chastity the holy people may gain an imitation; and that, bringing 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. Through [our Lord].

The Stole and the Gospel

¶ When the bishop puts the stole upon the deacon, let him say:

Receive thy stole; fulfil thy ministry; for God is able to increase grace unto thee. Who liveth [and reigneth].

¶ Then, the stole having been put about his left shoulder, he shall give him the gospel, saying:

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.

The Concluding Prayers

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 diaconate, resplendent with the levitical blessing and with spiritual conversation, may shine forth by the grace of sanctification. Through him who liveth [and reigneth].

¶ The blessing. Let us pray.

O Lord, holy Father, giver of the rewards 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, chose to the number of seven; and, furnished with all the virtues with which it behoveth them to serve thee, they may be well pleasing. Through [our Lord].

The Ordination of Priests

¶ The ordination of priests. Let the elect who are to be ordained priests be made ready after the manner of a deacon, with the orarium, and so be presented to the bishop. And he, they bowing before him, shall lay his hand upon the head of each, and all the priests who are present likewise with him; and he shall say the prayer over them.

¶ Preface.

Let us pray, dearly beloved brethren, God the Father Almighty, that upon these his servants, whose names are here recited, N., whom he hath chosen for the office of priest, he would multiply heavenly gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ his Son, who with him liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.

¶ Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee. It follows: Arise.

¶ The consecration.

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 priestly grace; that those whom we offer to the sight of thy loving-kindness to be consecrated may obtain the everlasting bounty of thy gift. Through [our] Lord. World without end. Amen.

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.

¶ [A note on the mass follows:] The mass at the consecration of a deacon: Ad preces nostras (prayer); Suscipe quesumus domine (secret); Hanc igitur oblationem (within the canon); Benedicat te deus (blessing); Presta quesumus domine (after communion). [And, perhaps by another hand:] After the gospel, before The Lord be with you and the offertory, those who are to be ordained priests are called.

¶ Veni Creator Spiritus, and so forth.

The Consecration Preface

¶ Preface.

[It is very meet ... ] everlasting God, author of honours and distributor of all dignities; through whom all things prosper, 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 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. So upon Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron, thou didst pour out the abundance of their father's 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 of the faith as companions, with whom they filled the whole world with second preachings. Wherefore, O Lord, we beseech thee, grant these helps to our infirmity, 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; and renew in their inward parts the spirit of truth and 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 upright 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. Through the same. In the unity of the same.

The Stole and Chasuble

¶ Here let him draw the orarium back over the right shoulder, saying to him:

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

¶ When he puts the chasuble upon him.

Receive the priestly vesture, by which charity is understood; for God is able to increase charity unto thee, and a perfect work. Who liveth [and reigneth].

The Completion of the Priests

¶ A preface for completing a priest.

Let there be among us, brethren, a common prayer, that these, who are chosen for the help and benefit of your salvation, may obtain the blessing of the priesthood by the bounty of the divine gift; and may obtain by the grace of the Holy Spirit the priestly gifts by the privilege of virtues, lest they be found unequal to the place of honour. Through him who liveth [and reigneth].

[...]

O God, author of all sanctification, whose is true consecration, whose is 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 ever prove themselves elders, instructed in those disciplines which Paul set forth to Titus and Timothy; that, meditating in thy law day and night, O Almighty, 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 and fortitude, and confirm by admonition what they have shown by example; that they may 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, they may appear with pure conscience, faith unfeigned, and full of the Holy Spirit. Through the same.

The Anointing of the Hands

¶ The blessings being ended, let the bishop make a cross with oil and chrism in the hands of each, saying the prayer.

Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, 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. Through Christ our Lord.

The Delivery of the Paten and Chalice

¶ Then he shall give to each the paten with the oblations and the chalice with wine, saying to them in a slow voice:

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.

¶ The last 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, offering acceptable sacrifices for the sins and offences of the people to Almighty God, to whom be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

¶ And let him kiss each of them; and let all who have been ordained bring their oblations to the hands of the bishop.

¶ [Added by a fourteenth-century hand in the lower margin:] This done, let him say to each, Peace be with thee; and let each answer, And with thy spirit; and let him kiss each, saying, Pray for me, brother. This done for each, the bishop, turning to the people, shall say, singing, The Lord be with you; the choir shall answer, And with thy spirit; and the bishop, turning to the altar, shall say, Let us pray, and the offertory shall be sung. When it has been sung, and the hosts have been offered by each, let the mass be performed as far as the prayer after communion; and then the bishop shall lay his hand upon the head of each, letting down their chasubles, saying: Receive the Holy Ghost: whose sins thou dost remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained. And after the mass is ended let them depart, and, having washed their hands in the sacristy, put off the sacred vestments.

The Decree of Election

¶ [Of the consecration of a bishop.] The decree which the clergy and people ought to confirm concerning the bishop elect.

To the venerable N., metropolitan of the holy church of Canterbury, the clergy and people of the church of N. [send] due subjection. It is known to your fatherhood how long a time it is since, by various events befalling, the church of N. has been widowed of its pastor and bereft of its ruler; which is known to tend to the loss not only of us, but also of you and of this whole diocese, since the care of the whole province is known to be committed to the metropolitan. Therefore we have chosen a priest of that church, by name N., most sufficiently known to us, noble in birth and manners, imbued with apostolic and ecclesiastical discipline, catholic in faith, prudent by nature, teachable, patient, temperate in manners, chaste in life, sober, humble, affable, merciful, learned, instructed in the law of God, careful in the senses of the Scriptures, practised in the doctrines of the Church; who, according to the path of the Scriptures and the tradition of the orthodox, and the constitutions of the canons and of the decrees of the bishops of the apostolic see, understands the rules of the Church with sound sense, and teaches and keeps them with sound speech; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, and with meekness rebuking those that oppose themselves, and able to resist and convince those who gainsay sound doctrine; hospitable, modest, ruling well his own house, not a novice, having a good report, having ministered in each degree according to the tradition of the Church, ready unto every good work and to give an answer to every man that asketh him a reason of the hope that is in him. Him we pray may be ordained our bishop with all speed, that by the Lord's authority he may be able to rule over us and to profit us according to rule, and we may be able to serve wholesomely under his governance; for the integrity of rulers is the salvation of their subjects, and where there is soundness of obedience, there the form of doctrine is sound. And that you may know that the wishes of us all agree in this election, we have subscribed this canonical decree with most ready will, each confirming it with his own hand.

The Examination of the Bishop Elect

¶ Here beginneth the examination of a bishop to be ordained, which is to be done on the Lord's day before mass is celebrated.

The ancient institution of the holy fathers teaches and commands that he who is chosen to the order of bishop, chiefly, as we read in the canon of Carthage, 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 instructed how one appointed under this governance ought to behave himself in the Church of God; that those also who lay hands on him for his ordination may be blameless. By the same authority 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 of it, to the senses of divine Scripture.

¶ Let him answer: So I will, with all my heart, obey and consent in all things.

¶ Question. Wilt thou teach the people for whom thou art to be ordained, both by word and by example, the things which thou understandest from the divine Scriptures?

¶ Let him answer: I will.

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

¶ Answer: I will.

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

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

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

¶ Answer: I will.

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

¶ Question. Wilt thou show faith and subjection in all things to the holy church of Canterbury?

¶ Answer: I will. Here let the profession be required.

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

¶ Then let it be said to him: The Lord grant thee all these and other good things, and keep thee and strengthen thee in all good.

¶ And let all answer: Amen.

¶ Question. Dost thou believe, according to thine understanding and the 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 coessential and consubstantial, coeternal and co-almighty, of one will, power and majesty, creator of all creatures; from whom are all things, through whom are all things, in whom are all things that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible and spiritual?

¶ Answer: I assent, and so I believe.

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

¶ Question. Dost thou believe the Son of God himself, the Word of God, eternally begotten of the Father, consubstantial, co-almighty and equal to the Father in all things in his Godhead; born in time of the Holy Spirit and Mary ever virgin, with a reasonable soul; having two nativities, one eternal from the Father, the other temporal from his mother; true God and true man, proper and perfect in each nature; not adopted nor a phantom; the one and only Son of God in 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 God 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?

¶ Answer: I assent, and in all things 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?

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

¶ 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?

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

¶ Answer: I anathematize it.

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

¶ Answer: 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?

¶ Answer: 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.

¶ Let all answer: Amen.

¶ Being thus examined and fully instructed, with the consent of clergy and laity, and with the assembly of the bishops of the whole province, and chiefly by the authority or in the presence of the metropolitan, let him be ordained in the Name of the Lord.

The Mass and Litany

¶ How he is to be ordained. When a bishop is ordained, first the lord metropolitan goes forth with all the clergy to the church where he wishes the ordination itself to be made. And coming before the altar, as soon as he wills he gives a sign to the first of the cantors, and at once the cantor raises the antiphon at the introit.

¶ Antiphon: God hath blessed thee this day. Psalm: The God of gods, the Lord. And when they have finished the introit, let them not say Kyrie, but the lord metropolitan shall begin Glory be to God on high; this ended, he shall say, Peace be with you; then this prayer:

Let us pray.

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].

¶ After this is read the lesson of the epistle of blessed Paul the apostle to Titus: Dearly beloved: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Afterwards the gradual, Offer unto God the sacrifice. Meanwhile the lord metropolitan nods to the archdeacon, and he, going down, goes outside the choir where he who is to be ordained is waiting, and, taking the vestment, puts it on him. And when the gradual is ended the lord metropolitan goes up to the altar, and the archdeacon brings the elect to the altar where the lord metropolitan stands; and the elect himself bows to the ground; and the lord metropolitan says:

The clergy and people of that city, with their adjoining parishes, ask that a bishop be consecrated for them. And now, by our most gracious lord N., king of the English, with the consent of clergy and people, our venerable brother N. has been chosen for this work. Let us pray therefore for him, that our God and Lord Jesus Christ may grant him the episcopal throne for the governing of his Church and all the people.

¶ And then let the choir begin the litany, and among other things say:

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve our brother N., chosen bishop, in true religion: we beseech thee to hear us.

¶ Meanwhile the bishops shall prostrate themselves upon the carpets before the altar, and he that is to be ordained more lowly behind the bishops, until Lamb of God is said. When the litany is ended the lord metropolitan raises him, and places his head upon the altar; and two bishops place and hold the gospel book upon his neck; and all the other bishops who are present lay their hands upon his head; and the lord metropolitan, pouring the blessing upon him, says in a slow voice:

The Consecration

Let us pray, dearly beloved, that the goodness of Almighty God may grant to this man N. the bounty of his grace, for the advancement of the Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ his Son, who with him and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

¶ Let us pray. And the deacon: Let us bow the knee. The same: Arise. The blessing follows.

Be favourable, O Lord, to our supplications, and, inclining the horn of priestly grace upon this thy servant N., pour forth upon him the power of thy blessing. Through our Lord. World without end. Amen.

The Lord be with you. ℟. And with [thy spirit]. Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks unto the Lord [our God].

¶ 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, God of all honours, God 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. Therefore, we beseech thee, O Lord, grant this grace to this thy servant N., 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 mystery, and, furnished with the ornaments of all glorifying, sanctify him with the dew of heavenly ointment.

¶ Here let oil be poured upon his head in the form of a cross.

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, and in powers and 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 blesseth him, let him be blessed; and he that curseth him, let him be filled with curses. 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 and love truth, and never forsake it, overcome either by weariness or by fear. Let him not put light for darkness, nor darkness for light; let him not call good evil, nor evil good. Grant him, O Lord, the episcopal throne for the governing of thy Church and all the people. Be thou his authority, be thou his strength, be thou his power. 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.

¶ Also another.

Holy Father, almighty God, who through our Lord Jesus Christ didst create all things from the beginning, and afterwards in the end of the times, according to the promise which Abraham our patriarch had received, didst found the Church also by the congregation of the saints, ordering the things by which the religion of discipline should be governed by the laws given by thee: grant that this thy servant may be worthy of the ministries and of all the offices to be faithfully performed, that he may be able to celebrate the mysteries of the sacraments instituted of old. By thee let him be consecrated to the high priesthood to which he is taken. Let thy blessing be upon him, though it be stretched forth by our hand. Command him, O Lord, to feed thy sheep, and grant that as a careful shepherd he may watch over the keeping of the flock committed to him. Let thy Holy Spirit, the divider of heavenly gifts, assist him; that, as that chosen teacher of the Gentiles instructed, he may not be wanting in righteousness, may be strong in kindness, abounding in hospitality. Let him keep eagerness in exhortations, faith in persecutions, patience in charity, steadfastness in truth; let him know hatred of heresies and all vices, let him know nothing of rivalries. Suffer him to be gracious in judgements, and grant him to be acceptable. Finally, let him learn bountifully from thee all things which he may wholesomely teach to thine own. Let him account the priesthood itself a work, not a dignity. Let the increases of honour avail him also for the increase of merits; that by these, as he is now taken up by us into the priesthood, so he may afterwards be taken up by thee into the kingdom. Through [our] Lord.

¶ A blessing of the sevenfold Spirit.

May the sevenfold Holy Spirit come upon thee, and the power of the Most High keep thee without sin; and may every blessing that is written in the holy Scriptures come upon thee. May God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost confirm thee, that thou mayest have eternal life and live for ever and ever. Amen.

The Anointing, Ring and Staff

¶ The consecration of the hands of the bishop by the archbishop with holy oil and chrism.

Let these hands be anointed and sanctified, and be ordained in thee, O God of gods. I anoint these hands with hallowed oil and with the purified chrism of anointing, as Moses by the word of his mouth anointed the hands of holy Aaron his brother; and as the Holy Spirit by his breathings anointed the hands of the holy apostles: so let these hands be anointed and sanctified and consecrated, that they may be perfect in all things; in thy Name, O Father, and of thy Son, and of the eternal Holy Spirit, who art one and supreme God of all the living and the dead, abiding world without end.

¶ Here let chrism be put upon his head.

Let thy head be anointed and consecrated with the heavenly blessing of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with thee. ℟. And with [thy] spirit.

¶ Here let the mitre be put upon his head.

¶ The 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 revealing and closing the holy mysteries. Through [our] Lord.

¶ When the ring is given.

Receive the ring of discretion and honour, the sign of faith; that thou mayest seal what is to be sealed, and disclose what is to be opened; bind what is to be bound, loose what is to be loosed; and open the gates of the heavenly kingdom to believers through the faith of baptism, and to the fallen and penitent through the ministry of reconciliation; and bring forth to all out of the Lord's treasure things new and old, being made a comfort to all unto eternal salvation; by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

¶ The blessing of the staff.

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

¶ When the staff is given.

Receive the staff of the pastoral office; and be thou tenderly severe in correcting vices, holding judgement without anger; when thou art angry, remembering mercy.

¶ Afterwards let the lord metropolitan perform the mass as he began it. And the elect, consecrated according to the prescribed order, shall bow at his feet, giving thanks. Two of the fellow-bishops, leading him by the hands, [bring him] to the place where he will; let him 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 N., 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. Through [our Lord].

¶ Here let him be set in the episcopal throne, and let this prayer be said.

Almighty, holy Father, everlasting God, thou hast vouchsafed to set every order in the heavenly 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 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 thine infinite 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 [our] Lord.

¶ 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, in the stead 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 and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.

¶ The blessing of the same bishop.

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 just; be thou humble; be thou sincere; be thou an apostle of Christ. Receive the blessing and the apostleship, which may remain on this day and 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.