Benedictional of Archbishop Robert (late 10th-cent. MS)

The Order for Blessing the Holy Orders

¶ Here beginneth the Order for blessing the Holy Orders.

¶ The psalmist, that is, the cantor, may take up the office of singing without the knowledge of the bishop, at the bidding of a priest alone, the priest saying to him:

See that what thou singest with thy mouth thou believe in thy heart; and what thou believest in thy heart thou show forth in thy works.

The Ordination of a Doorkeeper (the First Degree)

¶ When a doorkeeper is ordained, after he has been instructed by the archdeacon how he ought to behave in the house of God, at the suggestion of the archdeacon the bishop shall deliver to him the keys of the church from the altar, saying:

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

¶ And the deacon shall deliver to him the door of the church.

¶ The blessing of a doorkeeper.

Let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that he would vouchsafe to bless this his servant N., whom he hath vouchsafed to choose into the office of doorkeeper; that he 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; by the help of our Lord God Jesus Christ, who with him liveth and reigneth God in the unity [of the Holy Spirit].

¶ Another.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to bless this thy servant N., doorkeeper; [...] that among the doorkeepers of the church he may render obedient service, and among thine elect may be found worthy to have a share in their reward. Through [our] Lord.

The Ordination of a Reader (the Second Degree)

¶ When a reader is ordained, the bishop shall speak concerning him to the people, declaring his faith, his life and his ability. After this, in the sight of the people, he shall deliver to him the book from which he is to read, saying to him:

Receive, and be thou a reader of the word of God; if thou fulfil thine office faithfully and profitably, thou shalt have part with them that have ministered the word of God. Thy brethren choose thee to be a reader in the house of thy God; acknowledge thine office and fulfil it; for God is able to increase grace unto thee: which may he vouchsafe to grant, who with the Father [liveth and reigneth].

¶ The blessing of a reader.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to bless this thy servant N. in the office of reader; that, distinguished and adorned by diligence in reading, he may both speak the things that are to be done, and fulfil in deed the things that he speaketh, and in both may serve the good of holy Church. Through [our Lord].

The Ordination of an Exorcist (the Third Degree)

¶ When an exorcist is ordained, he shall receive from the hand of the bishop the little book in which the exorcisms are written, the bishop saying to him:

Receive, and commit to memory, and have thou power to lay thy hand upon the possessed, whether baptized or catechumen.

¶ The blessing of an exorcist.

Let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that he would vouchsafe to bless this his servant in the office of exorcist; that he may be a spiritual commander for casting out devils from bodies possessed, with all their manifold wickedness; by the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with him liveth and reigneth.

¶ Another.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to bless this thy servant N. in the office of exorcist; that thou wouldest vouchsafe to choose him through the laying on of hands and the office of the mouth, so that he may have command for restraining unclean spirits, and may be an approved physician of thy Church, strengthened by the grace and power of healing. Through [our Lord].

The Ordination of an Acolyte (the Fourth Degree)

¶ When an acolyte is ordained, he shall first be taught by the bishop how he ought to behave in his office; and from the archdeacon he shall receive a candlestick with a taper, that he may know that he is appointed to light the lamps of the church. He shall receive also an empty cruet, for supplying wine for the eucharist of the Body of Christ.

¶ The blessing of an acolyte.

Almighty and everlasting God, fountain of light and source of goodness, who by Jesus Christ thy Son, who is the true light, hast enlightened the world, and hast redeemed it by the mystery of his passion: vouchsafe to bless this thy servant N., whom we consecrate to the office of acolyte, beseeching thy mercy that thou wouldest enlighten his mind and heart with the light of knowledge, and water him with the dew of thy loving-kindness; that he may so fulfil the ministry he hath received, by thy help, that he may be found worthy to attain unto an everlasting reward. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Another.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who by Jesus Christ thy Son didst send into this world the light of brightness, and, triumphing in the cross of thy passion, didst vouchsafe to pour forth blood and water from thy side for mankind, and by thine apostles didst send into this world the light of spiritual grace: so vouchsafe to bless this thy servant N. in the office of acolyte, that for the kindling of the light of the brightness of thy Church, and for the supplying of wine and water for the making of the mystery of thy Blood in the offering of the eucharist, he may faithfully minister at thy holy altars. Kindle, O Lord, his mind and heart to the desire of thy love, and by thy power confirm in him the grace of thy mercy. Through [our Lord].

The Order in which Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons are to be Ordained

¶ In the first, fourth, seventh and tenth months, on the Saturday of the twelve lessons, where masses are celebrated, when the blessing is ended and before the gospel is read, the bishop shall make announcement to the people, saying:

By the help of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, we choose into the order of deacon or of priest N., subdeacon or deacon, of such a title, N.; [and] as priest to the title of N. If any man hath anything against these men, for God's sake and on God's behalf, let him come forth with confidence and say it; but let him be mindful of his own communion.

¶ Then let those who are to be ordained come forward and prostrate themselves before the altar, and the litany shall be said. When it is ended, let them rise and stand bowed before the bishop, and be blessed by him, as is written in what follows.

The Ordination of a Subdeacon

¶ When a subdeacon is ordained, because he does not receive the laying on of hands, he shall receive from the hand of the bishop an empty paten and an empty chalice; and from the hand of the archdeacon he shall receive a cruet with water, a hand-basin and a towel. And the bishop shall say to the subdeacon:

See whose ministry is delivered to thee; and therefore, if hitherto [...]

The Blessing of a Subdeacon

Let us pray God and our Lord that upon his servant, 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, he may obtain the rewards predestined for the saints; by the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with him liveth and reigneth God in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

¶ Another.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, vouchsafe to bless this thy servant N., whom thou hast vouchsafed to call to the office of subdeacon; that thou mayest set him in thy holy sanctuary as a diligent and careful soldier of the heavenly host, and that he may faithfully minister at thy holy altars; and may the spirit of wisdom and understanding rest upon him, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and godliness. Fill him with the spirit of thy fear, and strengthen him in the divine ministry; that, obedient in deed and ready at thy word, he may obtain thy grace. Through [our] Lord.

The Ordination of a Deacon (the Fifth Degree)

¶ When a deacon is ordained, the bishop alone, who blesses him, shall lay his hand upon his head; but the other priests shall touch his head beside the hand of the bishop; because he is consecrated not to the priesthood but to the ministry.

Prayers for Ordaining a Deacon

¶ A prayer for ordaining a deacon.

Let us pray, dearly beloved, God the Father Almighty, that upon this his servant N., whom he vouchsafeth to take into the holy order of the office of deacon, he would mercifully pour forth the grace of his blessing, and graciously grant him the gift of consecration, whereby he may bring him to everlasting rewards; by the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with him liveth and reigneth world without end.

¶ Another.

Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and send forth upon this thy servant N. the spirit of thy blessing; that, enriched with the heavenly gift, he may be able both to obtain the grace of thy majesty and to give to others an example of good living. Through [our] Lord.

¶ Another.

O Lord God Almighty, mercifully hear our prayers; that what is to be done by our service thou mayest graciously further with thy help; and that those whom, according to our understanding, we believe ought to be offered for the performing of the holy mysteries, thou mayest rather justify by thine own choice. Through [our Lord].

The Consecration of a Deacon

Be present, we beseech thee, Almighty God, giver of honours, distributor of orders and disposer of offices; who, abiding in thyself, makest all things new, and ordering all things by thy Word, Power and Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, by thine everlasting providence dost prepare them, and dispensest what is fitting for each several time; whose body, thy Church, distinguished by a variety of heavenly graces and knit together by the distinction of its members, thou grantest, united by a wonderful law of the whole frame, to grow and spread for the increase of thy temple; appointing the service of the sacred office to be fulfilled for thy Name by 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 thine eternal blessing. Upon this thy servant also, N., we beseech thee, O Lord, look graciously, whom we humbly dedicate to the office of deacon, to serve thy sanctuaries in the place of N. And we indeed, as men ignorant of the divine mind and of the highest reason, judge of his 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 his life by heavenly judgement, whereby thou ever prevailest both to cleanse what has been committed and to grant what is to be done. Send forth upon him, O Lord, we beseech thee, the Holy Spirit, whereby he 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 him: modest authority, constant chastity, the purity of innocence, and the spiritual keeping of discipline. Let thy commandments shine forth in his manners, that by the example of his chastity the holy people may win an imitation of it; and that, bearing the good testimony of a good conscience, he 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 Blessing of Stoles and Chasubles

¶ A prayer for blessing stoles or chasubles.

O God, conqueror of invincible might, creator and sanctifier of all things, graciously attend to our prayers, and vouchsafe with thine own mouth to bless, sanctify and consecrate these stoles or chasubles, to be used by thy ministers for levitical and priestly glory; and grant that all who use them, being made fit for thy mysteries, consecrated or to be consecrated by us unworthy, and serving thee in them devoutly and lovingly, may be made acceptable to thee, both now and through endless ages of ages. Amen.

The Delivery of the Stole

¶ Then the stole shall be laid upon the shoulder of the levite, and this prayer shall be said:

In the name of the Holy Trinity and the one Godhead, receive the stole, which the Lord hath prepared for thee to receive through the service of our lowliness and by our hands; whereby thou mayest know that the burden of the Lord thy God is laid upon thy neck, and that thou art bound to humility and to ministration; and whereby thy brethren may know that thou art ordained a minister of God; that thou, who art appointed in the ministry of a deacon, mayest shine in the order of the levitical blessing, and, resplendent in spiritual conversation, mayest shine forth by the grace of sanctification; and mayest continue steadfast and firm in Christ Jesus; so that what is signified by this stole thou mayest be able to present without spot in the day of strict judgement before the judgement-seat of the Lord, by his help, to whom be honour and glory, world without end.

The Delivery of the Gospels

¶ Afterwards the bishop shall deliver to him the holy gospel, saying:

Receive this volume of the gospel; read and understand, and deliver it to others, and fulfil it in deed.

The Anointing of the Deacon's Hands

¶ The consecration of the hands of a deacon with oil and chrism.

May these hands be consecrated, we beseech thee, O Lord, by this anointing and thy blessing; that whatsoever they bless may be blessed, and whatsoever they sanctify may be sanctified. Through [our Lord].

Prayers for Completing the Office of Deacon

¶ A prayer for completing the office of deacon.

Let our common desire continue, let our common prayer follow; that this man, who by the prayer of the whole Church is prepared for the ministry of a deacon, may shine in the order of the levitical blessing, and, resplendent in spiritual conversation, may shine forth by the grace of sanctification. Through [our Lord].

¶ Another.

O Lord, holy Father, giver of the gifts of hope, faith, grace and progress, who, by the ministries of angels set everywhere in heaven and on earth, spreadest abroad the working of thy will through all the elements: vouchsafe to look with special favour upon this thy servant N. also; that, ready for thy service, he may shine as a pure minister at thy holy altars, and, purer by thy pardon, may be found worthy of the degree of those whom thine apostles, with blessed Stephen at their head and by the authority of the Holy Spirit, chose to the number of seven; and, furnished with all the virtues with which it behoveth him to serve thee, he may prevail. Through [our] Lord.

The Ordination of a Priest (the Sixth Degree)

¶ When a priest is ordained, the bishop blessing him and laying his hand upon his head, all the priests also who are present shall lay their hands upon his head beside the hand of the bishop.

Prayers for Ordaining a Priest

¶ A prayer for ordaining a priest.

Let us pray, dearly beloved, God the Father Almighty, that upon this his servant, whom he hath chosen for the office of priest, he would multiply heavenly gifts; and that what he receiveth by his favour he may fulfil by his help. Through [our Lord].

¶ Another.

Hear us, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, and pour forth upon this thy servant N. the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the power of priestly grace; that him whom we offer to the sight of thy loving-kindness to be consecrated thou mayest follow with the everlasting bounty of thy gift. Through [our] Lord.

The Consecration of a Priest

¶ Here the stole is changed; the prayer follows.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, author of honours and distributor of all dignities that serve thee; through thee all things prosper, through thee 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 sacred rites 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 also, who, the frailer we are, have so much the more need of them. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty Father, to this thy servant N. the dignity of the priesthood; renew in his inward parts the spirit of holiness; that he may hold the office of the second rank received from thee, O God, and by the example of his conversation may commend the strictness of good manners. Let him be an honest fellow-worker of our order; let the pattern of all righteousness shine forth in him, that, being about to render a good account of the stewardship committed to him, he may obtain the rewards of everlasting blessedness. Through [our] Lord.

The Blessing and Anointing of the Priest's Hands

¶ The blessing or consecration of the hands of a priest, before the anointing with chrism.

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

¶ The consecration of the hands of a priest with oil and chrism.

May these hands be consecrated, we beseech thee, O Lord, with holy oil, and be sanctified by this anointing and holy blessing; that whatsoever they bless may be blessed, and whatsoever they sanctify may remain sanctified. Through [our Lord].

The Anointing of the Head

¶ The consecration of the head with oil.

Let thy head be anointed and consecrated with heavenly blessing in the priestly order; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Peace be with thee. ℟. And with thy spirit.

The Vesting with the Chasuble

¶ Then let him be vested with the chasuble; a prayer follows.

The blessing of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost descend upon thee; and, clothed with this priestly vesture, mayest thou be protected and defended from all the assaults of evil spirits; and be thou blessed, and offer acceptable sacrifices for the sins and offences of the people to Almighty God, to whom be honour and glory.

Prayers for Completing the Office of Priest

¶ For completing the office of priest.

Let there be among us, brethren, a common prayer, that this man, who is chosen for the help and benefit of your salvation, may obtain the blessing of the priesthood by the bounty of the divine gift, and the priestly gifts of the Holy Spirit by the privilege of virtues, lest he be found unequal to his place. [...]

¶ Another.

O God, author of all sanctification, whose true consecration is full blessing: pour forth the grace of thy blessing upon this thy servant N., whom we dedicate to the honour of the priesthood for the church of N.; that by the gravity of his actions he may prove himself an elder, instructed in those disciplines which Paul set forth to Titus and Timothy; that, meditating in thy law day and night, O Almighty God, he may believe what he shall read, teach what he shall believe, and practise what he shall teach; that he may show in himself righteousness, constancy, mercy and fortitude, prove them by example and confirm them by admonition; that he may keep pure and undefiled the gift of his ministry, and by the service of thy people may transform the Body and Blood of thy Son by spotless blessing; and that in unbroken charity, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ, in the day of just and eternal judgement, he may appear with a pure conscience, full faith, and full of the Holy Spirit; by thy bounty, who livest and reignest.

The Ordination of a Bishop (the Seventh Degree)

¶ Here beginneth the Ordination of a Bishop: the seventh degree beginneth.

¶ Before the gospel is read, two bishops shall lead the bishop who is to be ordained by the hand from the sacristy before the altar; and when he has prostrated himself there, the litany shall be begun by the archbishop. When it is ended and he has been raised up, the gospel book shall be laid upon his shoulders, and the bishops shall say these prayers over him.

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].

¶ Another.

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

¶ Another.

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.

The Consecration of a Bishop

¶ The archbishop alone shall say this consecration, the others standing by, and two bishops holding the gospel book over him who is to be ordained.

O 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 example of those before, and that the instruction of thy teaching might be wanting to no age; since 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 vesture 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, 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.

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. By thy gift let his feet be beautiful for preaching the gospel of peace, for preaching thy good things. Give him, O Lord, the ministry of reconciliation in word and in deed, in power, in signs and in 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 glory in, 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 mayest make ruler over thy household, to give them meat in due season, and to present every man perfect. Let him be unwearied in diligence, fervent in spirit. Let him hate pride, 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. [Let him be debtor to the wise and to the unwise, that he may gain fruit from the fruit of all.] 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.

¶ Another prayer over the bishop.

Holy Father, Almighty God, who through our Lord Jesus Christ didst from the beginning create all things, and afterward, in the end of the times, according to the promise which Abraham our patriarch had received, didst also found the Church by the gathering of the saints, ordering the things by which, through the laws given by thee, the religion of discipline might be renewed: grant that this thy servant may be worthy of the ministries and of all the offices faithfully performed, that he may be able to celebrate the mysteries of the sacraments instituted of old. By thee may he be consecrated to the high priesthood to which he is taken up. Let thy blessing be upon him, though it be 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. May thy Holy Spirit, the divider of heavenly gifts, stand by him; that, as that chosen teacher of the Gentiles ordained, he may be not wanting in righteousness, strong in kindness, given to hospitality. Let him keep cheerfulness in exhortations, faith in persecutions, patience in charity, constancy in truth; let him know how to hate heresies and all vices; let him know nothing of rivalries; suffer him to be gracious in judgements, and grant him to be acceptable. Lastly, let him learn all things from thee, the giver, which he may wholesomely teach to thine. Let him think the priesthood itself to be a work and not a dignity. Let the increase of honour profit him also to the increase of merits; that, as by these things he is now taken by us into the priesthood, so by thee he may hereafter be taken into the kingdom. Through [our] Lord.

The 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 of the Bishop's Hands and Head

¶ The consecration of the hands of a 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 his 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 oil be put upon his head.

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. Peace be with thee. ℟. And with thy spirit.

The Pastoral Staff

¶ The blessing of the staff, as some will.

O thou our staff and ruler through the ages of life, sanctify this staff by right of thy loving-kindness, whereby evil may be laid low and right may ever be ruled.

¶ Here let the staff be given; a prayer follows.

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

¶ Another.

Receive the staff, the sign of sacred government, that thou mayest strengthen the weak, confirm the wavering, correct the wicked, and direct the upright in the way of eternal salvation; and have thou power to raise up the worthy and to correct the unworthy; our Lord Jesus Christ working with thee, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and [reigneth].

The Ring

¶ When the ring is given, let this prayer be said.

Receive therefore the ring of discretion and honour, the sign of faith; that thou mayest seal the things that are to be sealed, and open the things that are to be opened; bind the things that are to be bound, and loose the things that are 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 for eternal salvation, a comforter of all; by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth.

The Enthronement

¶ An addition to the consecration.

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, primate of 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 Father, holy and eternal God, thou hast vouchsafed to set every order in the heavenly seats; in heaven, O Lord, thy word abideth for ever, where thou appointest to thee angels and archangels each in his order; and under the privilege of the old testament thou didst ordain by anointing Moses and Aaron, and Samuel among them that call upon thy name among thy priests, patriarchs and prophets; 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 whole 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.

¶ Another.

O Lord Jesus Christ, thou didst choose thine apostles that by their doctrine they might be set over us; so also vouchsafe, in the stead of the apostles, to teach, bless and instruct this bishop to teach doctrine, that he may keep his life spotless and unharmed, world without end.

The Blessing of the New Bishop

¶ The blessing of the same priest.

May the people honour thee; may the Lord help thee; whatsoever thou shalt ask, may God grant thee; with honour, with chastity, with knowledge, with bounty, with charity, with nobleness. 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 the crowned apostles at thy left; may the Church be thy mother, and the altar. 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 unbroken; through the Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen.