Guidelines for Ordinations

Upon the completion of all the canonical requirements and with the recommendation of the Standing Committee, ordinations to the priesthood may be scheduled by arrangement with Mary Ann Rhoads, Executive Assistant to the Bishop.

The preacher is selected by the ordinand, who should contact Mary Ann so that I can send an invitation to the preacher.

The liturgical color for this occasion is red. The ordinand is vested in alb. Following the Consecration of the Priest, the newly ordained may be vested in white or red vestments.

I will bring the Declaration to the service. It should be signed by the preacher and presenters in advance of the service. Only the ordinand will sign during the service.

The Litany for Ordinations may be sung or said, standing or kneeling. In either case, please give clear direction in the service bulletin. 

The readings may be selected from the list on page 528. Or, on a Major Feast or Sunday, the readings may be those from the Proper of the Day.

Following the vesting and the presentation of the Bible (which I will bring), I will invite the family of the newly ordained priest to come forward. I will call upon the congregation to express its approval. The new priest then greets the people with the Peace.

The offering at this service should be designated for the priestŐs discretionary fund or to some outreach ministry.

In the Celebration of the Eucharist, let me know your local custom re: any special ceremonial at the Words of Institution (genuflections, elevations and/or bows). It is also good to know if any of the following are chanted: Memorial Acclamation; the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer; the introduction to the LordŐs Prayer; the LordŐs Prayer; and/or the Fraction Anthem.

The new priest should stand to my right at the Altar throughout the Celebration of the Holy Communion.  A Deacon should stand at my left.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, I will request that the new priest pronounce a blessing.  

Th Right Reverend George E. Councell
February 2006

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