Ordination - Responding to God's Call​

From the time of the Acts of the Apostles the Church has recognized and set aside for ministry members of the community of the faithful who have displayed particular gifts that will be of service to the Church and promote the preaching of the Gospel. From the election of Matthias in the opening chapter of the Acts of the Apostles through to the appointment of the seven who ministered as the first deacons, the Church has through prayer and the laying on of hands continued to recognize that the ministry of service in Word and Sacrament is vital to the life of the Church.

Liturgy of Ordination

In the rites of the Church the ordination of bishop, priest and deacon all take place within the celebration of the Eucharist. After the Liturgy of the Word, the candidate is called and formally presented to the assembly for election. In the case of a bishop, a mandate from the Holy Father is read to confirm the appointment. In the case of deacons and priests, testimony is given by those responsible for their formation and training to assure the bishop and people that the persons presented for ordination have been duly prepared. 

After the homily a series of questions are put to the candidates in order that they might publicly assent to the teachings of the Church and pledge their desire to faithfully serve the people of God in whatever ministry they are being called to exercise.

Communion of Saints

After the questioning by the bishop the assembly is invited to invoke the assistance of the saints as the Litany of the Saints is sung whilst the candidate prostrates himself before the altar as a sign of surrendering all to Christ. Following the Litany, in the case of a deacon, the bishop alone will lay hands on the head of the candidate; in the case of presbyters (priests) the bishop and all the other presbyters present lay hands, and in the case of a bishop, the other bishops present do the same. 

The Prayer of Consecration is then prayed which highlights the specific character of each of the three orders. Following the prayer the newly ordained are then appropriately vested with the distinctive insignia of their order – for deacons stole and dalmatic, for priests stole and chasuable, for bishops – mitre, crozier and ring. In the case of presbyters and bishops a ritual anointing with Chrism Oil is also incorporated in the liturgy in order to signify the consecration to Christ as they act ‘in persona Christi’ i.e.: in the person of Christ in the administration of the sacraments, in particular the Eucharist. The rite concludes with the newly ordained being greeted with the greeting of peace by the members of the order they have just entered.

The Eucharist

The Mass then continues in the usual way with the preparation of the gifts, Eucharistic Prayer and Communion Rite. 

The newly-ordained, be they deacon, presbyter, or bishop, will then assist at the celebration. In the case of a bishop being ordained who is also the new bishop of that Diocese he assumes the presidency of the assembly and is placed in his cathedra (ie: the bishop’s chair) by the principal consecrating bishop. 

Called to Serve

It is a usual custom at the conclusion of the liturgy, for the newly ordained to address the assembly and often in that context acknowledge those who have been formative in their journey of faith. Ordinations are a great celebration for the life of the local Church – it involves all the community and expresses continuity with the apostolic witness through the ages. 

The bishop says, while presenting paten and chalice to the newly-ordained priest:

‘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.

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This article was originally published in  ‘Vocations & Ministry.  ©  Diocese of Parramatta.  2005, 2007. Reprinted with permission.