Rite of Ordination to the Priesthood

Ordinations to the Priesthood take place at the Cathedral, the place where the cathedra, or chair of the bishop, resides.

The Mass will begin with the Liturgy of the Word. After the Gospel, is the Calling of the Candidate, when the deacon will be called forward to stand before the altar.

The Presentation of the Candidates follows as a priest from the Vocation Office will be asked a series of questions by the bishop to determine if he has completed the Church’s requirements for priestly formation and whether he has been judged worthy of the priesthood. This is determined by the Vocation Director, in consultation with the faculty of the seminary who are responsible for the candidates’ formation.

Next, the bishop “elects” or chooses the candidates for orders and the people present in the assembly give their consent by applauding. The bishop says: “We rely on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and we choose this man, our brother, for priesthood in the presbyteral order.” In our theology, we believe that a vocation to the priesthood is discerned within the Church. Thus, the Ordinary gives his consent and the people also give their assent for the ordination to take place.

Next, the candidates are seated and the bishop gives his homily which addresses the people, but especially the candidates, on the role of the priest and the nature of the priestly office.

Following the homily, the candidates come forward for the Examination. The bishop asks a series of questions to determine if the candidates are willing to discharge faithfully the office of priesthood, to celebrate the sacred mysteries of Christ, to exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, and to consecrate their lives to God in union with Christ the High Priest. To all these questions the candidates respond: I am.

At the end of the examination, each candidate approaches the bishop individually, and putting his hands into the hands of the bishop, promises respect and obedience to the Ordinary of the Diocese and his successors.

The Litany of the Saints follows in which not only do those present pray for the candidates, but the saints are asked to make intercession before God for them. During the litany, the candidates lie prostrate on the floor as a gesture of their humility in undertaking the office of the priesthood.

The candidates rise after the prayers and kneel in front of the bishop for the Laying on of Hands. The bishop lays his hands on each of the candidates’ heads in silence and all the priests present do the same. This action is an ancient biblical gesture beseeching God to empower the candidates by the Holy Spirit and is a sign of the authority that has passed through the ages from the Apostles.

The Prayer of Consecration is recited by bishop, which along with the Laying on of Hands, constitutes the essential act of the sacrament. The concluding section of the prayer is:

Almighty Father,
grant to this servant of yours
the dignity of the priesthood.
Renew within him the Spirit of holiness.
As a co-worker with the order of bishops
may he be faithful to the ministry
that he receives from you, Lord God,
and be to others a model of right conduct.
May he be faithful in working with the order of bishops,
so that the words of the Gospel may reach the ends of the earth,
and the family of nations,
made one in Christ,
may become God's one, holy people.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

The newly-ordained are now assisted by a priest to take off the vestments of the deacon and put on the stole and chasuble, the garments worn by the priest at Mass. Each of the newly-ordained will have chosen a priest prior to his ordination to assist him. Then each of them returns to the bishop who anoints their palms with Chrism saying,

The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
May Jesus preserve you to sanctity the Christian people
and to offer sacrifice to God.

Chrism is a symbol here of Christ the High Priest, who has offered the one and unique sacrifice. In Roman Catholic theology, the priest sacramentally participates in this ministry of Christ. Anointing with Chrism takes place at the Baptism of infants, at Confirmation, and at the Ordination of priests and bishops.

After the anointing, the newly-ordained go to the Sacristy to wipe the Chrism from their hands. These cloths which they use are traditionally given to their mothers to symbolize the gift of their sons to the service of the Church. Many do this as part of their first Mass of Thanksgiving. The deacon of the Mass, meanwhile, prepares the paten and chalice for Mass that have been brought forward by the people and each of these is handed to the newly-ordained as the bishop says,

Accept from the holy people of God the gifts to be offered to him.
Know what you are doing, and imitate the mystery you celebrate:
model your life on the mystery of the Lord's cross.

This symbolizes the centrality of the Holy Eucharist and the celebration of the Mass in the life of the priest.

The bishop then greets each of the newly-ordained with a sign of peace. All the priests present in the church return to the altar to greet the newly-ordained also. Then Mass proceeds as usual, celebrated by the bishop and now con-celebrated by the newly-ordained priests.

At the end of Mass, the bishop kneels in front of the altar and receives the first blessings of the newly-ordained.