The Ceremony

Most people, even many Catholics, have neither attended nor seen an actual ordination to the priesthood. The first thing to know is that this will take place in the context of a Catholic Mass, so if you’ve ever attended a Mass before, most of this will be familiar. If not, don’t worry! There will be programs listing what is happening. For the curious who want to know all the details, here it is! Don’t worry if you don’t understand it all now -- it’s easy to follow what everyone else is doing.

Prelude/Opening Rite: A musical piece will mark the start of the ceremony. It will be followed by the Entrance Hymn, where the acolytes and other servers process in with the ordination candidates (ordinandi), deacons, other priests, and the bishop, who will be the one ordaining the four men. The bishop will say a few words, and then the choir will lead the congregation in singing the Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy), followed by the Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest).

Liturgy of the Word: There will be three Biblical readings, and a responsory sung from the Psalms in the Bible. The first reading will be from the Prophet Jeremiah. This is followed by the Responsorial Psalm (110). Here the cantor will sing a response, the congregation will repeat it, and then the cantor will sing verses (followed by the response after each verse). Then comes the second reading, from St. Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Finally, there is a reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. This is preceded by an Alleluia, at which point all stand for the reading of the Gospel. Unlike most Masses, the homily will come later.

Call, Presentation and Election: Here the prior provincial, the regional superior of the Dominicans, will present the four men and testify to their worthiness to the bishop. In the election, the bishop will choose these men, and the people voice their consent.

Homily: The bishop will preach on the Biblical readings, tying them to the ordination ceremony and the priesthood.

Examination of the Candidate: The bishop will question each man, to see if he is resolved to carry the duties and functions of the priesthood.

Promise of Obedience: The bishop is the head of his diocese. Priests serve under the bishops, and so the four men will promise obedience to the bishops and their successors.

Invitation to Prayer/Litany of the Saints: The bishop will pray over the four men, then invite everyone to pray for them, and then all will ask the saints of God to add their prayers in a choral litany.

Laying on of Hands: Following the practice of the apostles, the bishop invokes the Holy Spirit upon the ordinandi. All other priests in attendance join the bishop in this action as a symbol of the unity among priests.

Prayer of Consecration: The bishop completes the ordination by offering the prayer of consecration of God on behalf of the four men.

Investiture: The four men, who until now have been vested (dressed) as deacons, will now be vested with their now-proper vestments: those of the priesthood (the chasuble, with a priestly stole).

Anointing of Hands: The bishop will anoint the palms of the ordinandi with chrism (blessed oil). He prays over them: The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God. After the anointing, the priests’ hands are wrapped with a linen cloth (maniturgiam or winding cloth). This special cloth will later be given to the mothers of the newly-ordained men as an honor and a sign of love and gratitude.

Preparation of the Gifts: The altar is now prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the gifts of bread and wine are brought forth for consecration.

Liturgy of the Eucharist: The bishop, with all the priests (new and old) offer the Holy Sacrifice. There are three sung responses during the prayers: the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), the Memorial Acclamation, and the Great Amen.

Communion Rite: This begins with the Our Father, followed by an exchange of the Kiss of Peace (an offering of peace to our neighbors, “The peace of Christ!”). Then the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) is sung. Those who will receive communion will line up in the aisles. To receive communion, one must be a full member of the Catholic Church in good standing. This is not a judgment on those who cannot receive, but rather the Eucharist is a sacrament and sign of unity with all who believe and practice the same Catholic faith.

Those who do not wish to receive communion or cannot receive communion may remain in their pews, or come forth for a blessing. If you wish to receive a blessing, walk in line with those receiving communion, and when you reach the priest or bishop, cross your arms in front of you to let them know you wish to receive a blessing. He will then pronounce a short blessing over you.

Closing Rite: There will be a short prayer, then some words of thanks to you, our dear friends and family! Then the final blessing of the Mass is given, and the acolytes, priests and bishop will follow.

Reception and First Blessings: Don’t run off yet! We will have a “light lunch” reception in the parish hall, below the church. According to tradition, new priests also give their First Blessings. This will happen in the Church itself, near the front. We ask that you allow the new priests to bless their family members first. You can eat first, if you wish. The blessing lines can be long!

Mass of Thanksgiving: This is really a separate, optional event, usually held the next day. This is the “First Mass” after ordination, where the priest offers his thanks to almighty God for the gift of his priesthood. The cloth wrapped around the anointed hands of the priest at his ordination is often presented to his mother at this time. You can click on the “First Masses” link above to find out when and where these Masses will be held.

“Thou art a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedech.”

-Psalm 110:4

What happens at an ordination?