Grace Thompson
Ordination is a sacramental ceremony in the Catholic Church, through which a baptised man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop, and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. The essential form for Catholic ordination is the Prayer of Consecration, asking God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is accompanied by the Laying on of Hands, where the bishop silently places his hands on the head of the candidate, followed by all other priests present. The bishop then recites the Prayer of Consecration, completing the action of ordination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ordination | Sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church |
| Who can be ordained? | Baptized males |
| Who can ordain? | Only a bishop can ordain a priest |
| Rite of Ordination | Laying on of Hands, Prayer of Consecration, Investiture, Anointing of Hands and Presentation of Gifts, Fraternal Kiss of Peace |
| Ordination ceremony | Prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, sign of peace |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Ordination is a sacramental ceremony
The ordination ceremony involves various rituals, such as prostration, the laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace. The essential rite of the sacrament is the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration. This is an ancient tradition in the Church, mentioned in the Bible, and signifies the conferral of the Holy Spirit. The bishop stands while silently laying his hands on the head of the kneeling candidate. Then, the priests in attendance come forward one by one to impose their hands. After this, the bishop recites the prayer of consecration, completing the action of ordination. As the prayer concludes, the assembly responds with "Amen".
The Rite of Ordination occurs within the context of Holy Mass. It begins with the Presentation of the Candidate, where the Bishop inquires about the ordinand's preparatory steps and worthiness to become a priest. The Bishop then elects the individual to be ordained and asks the people to affirm this election by applause. The Bishop proceeds with a homily, which includes instructions to the ordinand on the duties of a priest. The Examination of the Candidate follows, where the Bishop inquires directly into the candidate's willingness to be ordained a priest. The candidate promises obedience to the Bishop and his successors, and the congregation is called to prayer. The candidates lie prostrate before the altar, while the assembled faithful kneel and pray for the help of all the saints in the singing of the Litany of the Saints.
The actual ordination then takes place, followed by the investiture, where the newly ordained priest is vested with the stole and chasuble, and the anointing of hands. The ordination concludes with the Sign of Peace, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist is then celebrated, with the newly ordained taking a prominent role.
US Catholics: Embrace or Avoid Halloween?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The bishop elects the candidate
Ordination in the Catholic Church, or Holy Orders, is the process by which a baptised man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop. The bishop plays a crucial role in this process, as only a bishop can ordain a priest. This is because the bishop shares in the ministry of Jesus, passed down through the apostles, and is often the leader (ordinary) of a territorial unit called a diocese.
The Rite of Ordination begins with the Presentation of the Candidate. The bishop inquires whether the candidate has completed the necessary preparatory steps and is deemed worthy and competent to become a priest. The bishop then elects the individual for ordination and asks the congregation to affirm this decision by applauding. This election is not a judgement but an affirmation of the Holy Spirit's work in the candidate's life.
The bishop delivers a homily, instructing the candidate on the Church's expectations and the duties of a priest. This is followed by the Examination of the Candidate, where the bishop directly questions the candidate's willingness to become a priest. The candidate promises obedience to the bishop and his successors, symbolised by placing his folded hands inside the bishop's folded hands.
The actual ordination involves the ancient ritual of the Laying on of Hands, where the bishop silently places his hands on the candidate's head, invoking the Holy Spirit. The priests present then lay their hands on the candidate, signifying their shared gift of ordination. The bishop concludes the ordination with the Prayer of Consecration, to which the assembly responds, "Amen".
Valid Catholic Confessions: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Laying on of hands
Ordination is a sacramental ceremony in the Catholic Church, also known as Holy Orders, through which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. The ordination ceremony includes various rituals, such as prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace.
The essential rite of the sacrament is the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration. This ancient tradition in the Church was first used by the apostles in the election of the first deacons for service in the Church and was mentioned in the Bible (Acts 6:6). During the ordination ceremony, the bishop stands while silently laying his hands on the head of the kneeling candidate. Then, other priests in attendance come forward one by one to impose their hands in the same manner. This gesture signifies the conferral of the Holy Spirit and the sharing of the gift of ordination through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
After the laying on of hands, the bishop recites the prayer of consecration, completing the action of ordination. As the prayer concludes, the assembly responds with "Amen." The newly ordained priest is then welcomed into the Order of Priests and the Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated, with the newly ordained priest taking a prominent role in their first celebration of the Eucharist.
The laying on of hands is a significant part of the ordination ceremony, symbolizing the conferral of the Holy Spirit and the unity of the Church. It is a tradition that has been handed down from the time of the apostles, emphasizing the continuity and authority of the Catholic priesthood. This rite is an essential element of the sacrament of Holy Orders, which includes three orders of men: bishops, priests, and deacons, in decreasing order of rank.
A Catholic Man's Guide to Relationships
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Prayer of consecration
Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. The essential rite of the sacrament is the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration. This is an ancient tradition in the Church, mentioned in the Bible.
The Prayer of Consecration is the second part of the actual Ordination. The assembly responds "Amen" to the bishop's prayer as a sign of assent to the sacred action that has taken place. The prayer is offered to God and follows the laying on of hands, which is performed first by the bishop and then by the priests present.
The Prayer of Consecration is part of the Rite of Ordination, which occurs within the context of Holy Mass. After being called forward and presented to the assembly, the candidates are interrogated. Each promises to diligently perform the duties of the priesthood and to respect and obey his ordinary (bishop or religious superior). Then the candidates lie prostrate before the altar, while the assembled faithful kneel and pray for the help of all the saints in the singing of the Litany of the Saints.
The Prayer of Consecration is also accompanied by the imposition of hands, which, according to common opinion, is the essence of the consecration. The imposition of hands is a symbol of the plenitude of the power conferred and of the grace asked for. The elect is given the book of the Gospels, which is placed on their neck and shoulders. The consecrator and assistant bishops place both hands on the head of the elect, saying, "Receive the Holy Ghost".
Consecration, in general, is an act by which a person or thing is dedicated to the service and worship of God through prayers, rites, and ceremonies.
Understanding Death: A Catholic Child's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Newly ordained priests are welcomed into the Order
Ordination is a sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop, and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. The essential rite of the sacrament is the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration. This is an ancient tradition in the Church, mentioned in the Bible, and is believed to have been handed down from the time of the apostles. The bishop stands while silently laying his hands on the head of the kneeling candidate. This is followed by all other priests in attendance, who come forward one by one to impose their hands.
The newly ordained priests are then welcomed into the Order of Priesthood, first by the Bishop and then by their brother priests. The bishop extends a greeting of peace to the new priest, and the priests in attendance come forward and do the same. The bishop also presents the new priest with the gifts of bread and wine, saying:
> Accept from the holy people of God the gifts to be offered to him. Know what you are doing, imitate the mystery you celebrate, model your life on the mystery of the Lord's cross.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is then celebrated by the Bishop, with the newly ordained taking a prominent role in his first celebration of the Eucharist as a priest.
Talking to Catholics: A Guide for the Perplexed
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church.
The essential form for Catholic ordination is the Laying on of Hands and the Prayer of Consecration.
Only a bishop can ordain a priest because he shares in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles.
The laying on of hands is a symbol of the conferral of the Holy Spirit.
