Michael Brooks
Ordination is a term used in the Catholic Church to refer to the process by which individuals are consecrated and set apart from the laity class to the clergy. In the Catholic Church, there are three ordinations in the Sacrament of Holy Orders: diaconate, priesthood, and episcopal. The ordination ceremony includes rituals such as prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace. The term ordinariate is also used in the Catholic Church to refer to a juridically equivalent diocese that may be erected in the same territory as other dioceses to accommodate the rite of the faithful. Personal ordinariates were established to allow former Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church while bringing their customs, traditions, music, and heritage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | 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. |
| Ordination Process | 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. |
| Who Can Ordain? | Only a bishop can ordain a priest because he shares in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles. In the Catholic Church, the ordination of a bishop requires the mandate (approval) of the Pope. |
| Ordination Readings | Readings are taken from the special Lectionary Readings for Holy Orders, speaking of God's election of the people and the importance of carrying on the work of Jesus within the Church. |
| Ordination Rites | The rite of ordination includes the Calling of the Candidate, Presentation of the Candidate, prayer, and the Laying on of Hands. |
| Vestments | The newly ordained priest receives the stole and the chasuble, which are vestments that pertain to his office and have symbolic meaning. |
| Vows | Priests who belong to a religious order take the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Diocesan priests make promises of celibacy and obedience as part of the ordination ceremony. |
| Ordination in Other Churches | In the Eastern Orthodox Church, ordinations may be performed on any day that the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated, and only one person may be ordained to each order at any given service. |
| Personal Ordinariates | Personal ordinariates are juridically equivalent to dioceses and were created to facilitate the union of Anglican communities with the Catholic Church. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Ordination is a sacramental ceremony
The ordination ceremony includes 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 prayer of consecration. This is an ancient tradition in the Church, mentioned in the Bible, where the apostles elected the first deacons for service. During the ordination, the ordaining bishop and the other priests invoke the Holy Spirit to come down upon the one being ordained, bestowing upon him a sacred character and setting him apart for his designated ministry.
The readings for the ordination are taken from the special Lectionary Readings for Holy Orders, speaking of God's election of the ordained as a chosen person and the importance of carrying on the work of Jesus within the Church. The ordination begins with the Calling of the Candidate, where the ordinand (the one to be ordained) is called from among the people, symbolizing that those called to ministry answer the Lord's call from within the faithful community. The Bishop then inquires about the candidate's preparation and worthiness before electing the individual for ordination, followed by a homily with instructions for the ordinand.
The Bishop calls the congregation to prayer, invoking all saints to intercede for the candidate as they approach the sacrament. The ordinand prostrates themselves, symbolizing submission to God's will and their total abandonment to God's path. The Bishop concludes the Litany with a prayer, marking the beginning of the actual ordination. The ordinand goes before the Bishop, who silently prays and places his hands on the candidate's head. The priests then impose their hands, signifying their shared gift of ordination through the Holy Spirit. The Bishop's Prayer of Consecration concludes the ordination.
The newly ordained priest is vested with the priest's stole, symbolizing their authority and responsibility to serve, and the chasuble, the outermost vestment worn for the Eucharist celebration. The priest then receives the chalice and paten, symbolizing the Eucharist's centrality in the priesthood.
Christians and Catholics: How Many Worldwide?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ordinand lies prostrate during the ordination
Ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, or set apart and elevated from the laity class to the clergy. In Catholicism, it is one of the seven sacraments, or holy ceremonies. During the ordination ceremony, the ordinand (the one to be ordained) lies prostrate while the assembly kneels to pray. This gesture of prostration symbolises the ordinand's submission to the will of God, their unworthiness for the office to be assumed, and their dependence upon God and the prayers of the Christian community. It also carries the symbolism of death, representing the death of self that comes before the ordinand's rebirth into priestly service, as well as their overwhelming humility before the call to priesthood.
The ordination ceremony includes 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 laying on of hands is considered the essential rite of the sacrament, during which the ordaining bishop and other priests invoke the Holy Spirit to come down upon the ordinand, giving him a sacred character and setting him apart for the designated ministry. The anointing of the hands with oil signifies that the hands of the newly ordained priest are being prepared for sacred duties such as offering the bread and wine, anointing the sick, and blessing people.
The ordination mass follows the usual order of the mass, including the Liturgy of the Word, until after the Gospel is proclaimed. This is when the Rite of Ordination officially begins. The ordinand, a transitional deacon, is called by name, declares his presence, and steps forward to be seated in the sanctuary. The ordaining bishop then gives a homily on the Scriptures and the responsibilities of the priesthood. The ordination rite concludes as designated members of the congregation bring forward the gifts of bread and wine, which the bishop presents to the new priest, imploring him to conform his life to the mystery of the Lord's Cross.
Catholic Wakes: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The newly ordained priest receives the stole and chasuble
Ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated and set apart from the laity class to the clergy. In Catholicism, it is one of the seven sacraments, also called holy orders or cheirotonia ("laying on of hands"). 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.
During the ordination ceremony, the newly ordained priest receives the stole and the chasuble. The stole is a liturgical vestment that symbolizes priestly authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ. It is made of coloured cloth, usually silk, and is worn around the back of the neck with the ends hanging down the front. The chasuble is the outermost vestment worn by the priest during the celebration of the Eucharist.
The newly ordained priest receives these vestments after removing his deacon's stole and dalmatic. The stole and chasuble are presented to the priest by a priest who played an important role in their vocational journey. This ritual is performed in front of the entire congregation, symbolizing the significant change that has occurred: a transitional deacon has now become a priest.
The stole and chasuble are not only practical vestments but also carry symbolic meaning. The stole, with its scripture reference, reminds the priest that their authority is to be exercised in service and imitation of Christ. The chasuble, as the outermost garment, signifies the priest's role in celebrating the Eucharist, the heart of the priesthood.
Laura Ingraham's Catholic Faith: A Departure?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Anointing of the hands
Ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, or set apart and elevated from the laity class to the clergy. In Catholicism, it is one of the seven sacraments, also called holy orders or cheirotonia, meaning "laying on of hands". 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 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 anointing of hands is a significant part of the ordination ceremony, signifying that the hands of the newly ordained priest are being prepared for the sacred duties and vessels that will be part of their priestly ministry. For example, these hands will now offer the bread and the wine, anoint the sick, and bless people.
During the ordination, the ordaining bishop and the other priests invoke the Holy Spirit to come down upon the one to be ordained, bestowing upon them a sacred character and setting them apart for their designated ministry. The newly ordained priest then removes his deacon's stole and is vested with the priest's stole, symbolising the authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ. The stole is also a sign of his office of the priesthood. The bishop then presents the priest with the chasuble, which is the outermost vestment worn for the celebration of the Mass.
In addition to the anointing of hands, the laying on of hands is also an important ritual during ordination. This is an ancient tradition in the Church, mentioned in the Bible. During this ritual, the ordinand goes before the bishop, who prays in silence as he places his hands on the head of the candidate. This act symbolises that the ordinand is being set apart for a sacred task or duty. The priests then raise their hands in blessing as the bishop prays the Prayer of Consecration, which is the second part of the actual ordination.
The Catholic Faith of St. Wolfgang
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ordination ceremony includes various rituals
The ordination of a priest in the Catholic Church is a sacred and ancient ritual, filled with symbolic gestures and rituals that mark the transition from a layperson to a cleric. The ceremony is steeped in tradition and carries a profound significance for the Church and the individual being ordained.
One of the most notable rituals is the laying on of hands by the bishop, who is joined by other priests present. This act, rich with biblical precedent, signifies the conferral of the Holy Spirit and the passing on of apostolic authority. The ordinand kneels before the bishop, who places his hands upon the candidate's head, invoking God's blessing and grace for the duties that lie ahead.
Another important element is the prayer of ordination, offered by the bishop, beseeching God to grant the ordinand the necessary gifts of the Spirit for his priestly ministry. The newly ordained is then vested with the priestly garments, including the stole and chasuble, symbolizing his new role and responsibilities. The vestments are often placed by the bishop and other priests, again emphasizing the communal nature of the priesthood and the support of the Church.
Liturgical customs also include the presentation of the chalice and paten, the vessels used in the celebration of the Eucharist. This action signifies the centrality of the Mass in a priest's life and ministry. The newly ordained priest is entrusted with these sacred vessels as a reminder of his duty to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, with reverence and devotion.
In addition, the ordination ceremony includes the anointing of the priest's hands with sacred chrism. This ritual, accompanied by specific prayers, emphasizes the priest's role as a consecrator of sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and as a healer of souls through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The fragrant oil used in the anointing is a reminder of Christ, the Anointed One, and the priest's call to follow in His footsteps of service and love.
These rituals and symbols come together to create a profound and moving ceremony, marking a pivotal moment in the life of the ordinand and the Church community. They serve as a reminder of the sacred nature of the priesthood and the important role priests play in the spiritual life of the Catholic faithful.
Devil's Location: Catholic Answers on Hell
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, or set apart and elevated from the laity class to the clergy. In Catholicism, it is one of the seven sacraments, also called holy orders or cheirotonia ("laying on of hands"). There are three ordinations in the Sacrament of Holy Orders: diaconate; priesthood; and episcopal.
The ordination ceremony includes various rituals, rich in meaning and history, such as prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace. The laying on of hands, for example, symbolises that the priests share the same gift of ordination through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Only a bishop can ordain a priest because he shares in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles. In the Catholic Church, Canon Law requires that bishops always be consecrated with the mandate (approval) of the Pope.
