THE ORDINATION OF A DEACON

The candidate is vested in an alb.

he Ordination of a Deacon is conducted during the celebration of the Mass,
immediately following the First Reading.

T H E   P R E S E N T A T I O N

All are seated.

The Ordinary, wearing the mitre and holding the crozier, is seated before the altar.

A presbyter of the Ordinariate presents the candidate to the Ordinary.

If the candidate is married, their spouse shall stand by their side.

Bishop _____,
on behalf of the clergy of The Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries,
and the people whom they serve,
we present to you _____  _____  _____  to be ordained to the diaconate.

Do you affirm that _____ been selected in accordance with the provisions in our Canonical Norms?

I do.

Do you believe _____’s manner of life to be suitable to the exercise of this ministry?

I do.

If the candidate is married, the Ordinary shall ask the spouse:

_____, do you affirm your consent to and support of the ordination of _____ to the diaconate?

I do.

And note, should the spouse be unable to attend for just cause,

a letter signed by them shall be presented at this time to attest to the consent.

Do those of you present join your voices with the voice of our Ordinariate,
and affirm that _____ is indeed worthy, by God’s grace, of this role?

We believe _____ is worthy! 

The presenter returns to their seat.

 

T H E   E X A M I N A T I O N

The Ordinary begins the Examination.

_____, every Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ, serving God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood directly under your bishop. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.

As a deacon in the Church, you are to study the Holy Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model your life upon them. You are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship. You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. You are to assist the bishop and presbyters in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments, and you are to carry out other duties assigned to you from time to time. At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.

And so, _____, I now ask: 

Do you believe that you are truly called by God and his people to the ministry of the Diaconal Order?

I believe that I have been so called.

Do you now in the presence of the Church commit yourself to this trust and responsibility? 

I do.

Will you respect my pastoral direction and leadership, and that of my successors,
in all things that are just, lifegiving, and true?

I will.

Will you be faithful in prayer, and in the reading and study of the Holy Scriptures?

I will.

Will you look for Christ in all others, being ready to help and serve those in need?

I will.

Will you strive to pattern your life in accordance with the teachings of Christ,

so that you may be a wholesome example of Christian faith and love

both for those you serve, and for the whole world?

I will.

Will you in all things seek not your glory but the glory of the Lord?

I will.

May almighty God, who has given you the will to make this commitment
give you the grace and power to keep it faithfully all the days of your life.

Amen.

T H E   P R A Y E R   O F   O R D I N A T I O N 

The candidate kneels before the Ordinary. 

The presbyters present shall stand so as not to obstruct the view of the liturgical action.

When necessary, singular language may be made plural. 

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise. 

Most merciful Father, we praise you for sending your Son Jesus Christ, who took assumed the form of a servant, and humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. We praise you that you have highly exalted him, and made him Lord of all; and that, through him, we know that whoever would be great must be servant of all. We praise you for the many ministries in your Church, and for calling this your servant to the order of deacons.

Therefore, Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, send forth your Holy Spirit into our midst, that your servant ___ may be filled with the grace and the power for diaconal ministry.

Make him, O Lord, modest and humble, strong and constant, to observe the discipline of Christ. Let his life and teaching so reflect your commandments, that through him many may come to know you and love you. As your Son came not to be served but to serve, may this deacon share in Christ's service, and come to the unending glory of him who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

T H E   I M P O S I T I O N   O F   H A N D S

The Ordinary resumes the mitre, approaches the candidate, looks him in the eyes, and says:

_____, receive the Holy Spirit

for the office and work of a deacon in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church

which I now commit to you through the imposition of my hands.

The Ordinary then lays both of his hands upon the head of the candidate
and remains in silent prayer for a time.

If there are other candidates for ordination,
the Ordinary repeats the preceding declaration
and imposes hands silently upon each candidate successively.

After all candidates for diaconal ordination have received the laying on of hands,

the Ordinary returns to his chair.

T H E   I N V E S T I T U R E 

The ordinand receives the diaconal stole, the Ordinary saying: 

Receive this stole as a symbol of diaconal service, and remember:

You are called to serve in the footsteps of Christ,
ministering his love and compassion to all you meet.  

If the ordinand is to be vested with the dalmatic, the vesting is conducted in silence. 

If there are other ordinands, the Ordinary repeats the Investiture for each candidate.

T H E   P R E S E N T A T I O N   O F   T H E   B O O K   O F   G O S P E L S

The Book of Gospels is presented to the ordinand,
who shall take it into their hands as the Ordinary says: 

Receive the Book of the Gospels. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach in the name of Christ, whose herald you have become. 

If there are other ordinands, the Ordinary repeats the Presentation for each candidate.

C O N C L U D I N G   P R A Y E R

The Ordinary stands, removes the mitre, and prays:

Father, we thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry, and we pray that _____ may be an effective example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with him, may serve you now, and always rejoice in your glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Gospel Acclamation follows, after which the newly ordained deacon shall proclaim the Gospel.

The newly ordained deacon most fittingly offers the General Intercessions.

During the Offertory, the newly ordained deacon shall prepare the Altar

The newly ordained deacon shall join with the Ordinary at the altar
and distribute the Precious Blood to the people during Communion.

And note, if multiple individuals are ordained Deacon on the same day,
one shall proclaim the Gospel,
one shall offer the General Intercessions,
and the others shall assist at the Altar and in the distribution of Holy Communion,
as directed by the Ordinary.