Ordination of a Priest – Vesting of the New Priest

Bishop Eric Menees

“Send your heavenly blessing upon this your servant, that he may be closed with righteousness…”  With these words we transition into the next phase of the Ordination of a Priest. Having called God, the Holy Spirit, upon him, the bishop’s hands being laid upon him along with the laying on of hands by the other priests gathered.   The following prayer asks God to be efficacious in the ministry of the new priest through word, sacrament and deed.   What follows is the vesting of the priest in the symbols and instruments of his ministry. It is interesting to note that the horizontal line along the left side of the presentation of the Stole, Chasuble and the anointing of the hands of the priest signals that these symbols and anointing are optional.  I can’t imagine why anyone would not use these but perhaps it is for the less liturgically-minded. These symbols do not in and of themselves have power – but they represent the priest’s submission to Christ and His Church and represent the authority under which he operates. The statements accompanying each are self-evident.   Have a blessed week! Bp. Menees

VESTING OF THE PRIEST The Bishop then prays the following over the Ordinand.  Send your heavenly blessing upon this your servant, that he may be clothed with righteousness, and that your Word, spoken by his mouth, may have such success that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive what he shall deliver out of your most holy Word as the means of our salvation; that in all our words and deeds we may seek your glory and the increase of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. The People in a loud voice respond  Amen.   The Bishop then prays the following over the Ordinand.  Send your heavenly blessing upon this your servant, that he may be clothed with righteousness, and that your Word, spoken by his mouth, may have such success that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive what he shall deliver out of your most holy Word as the means of our salvation; that in all our words and deeds we may seek your glory and the increase of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. The People in a loud voice respond  Amen. The new Priest may now be vested according to the Order of Priests.  As the Priest is vested with a stole, the Bishop says  Take the yoke of the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. As the Priest is vested with a chasuble, the Bishop says  Receive this priestly garment which symbolizes charity; for God is well able to give you an increase of charity and a perfect work. The Bishop then anoints the hands of the new Priest with the Oil of Chrism, saying  Grant, O Lord, to consecrate and sanctify these hands by this unction and by our blessing, that whatsoever they bless may be blessed, and whatsoever they consecrate may be consecrated and sanctified, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.