Ordination to the Priesthood 

Christ the Lord instituted various ministries

According to the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium: “For the shepherding and continual increase of the people of God, Christ the Lord instituted in his Church various ministries that work together for the good of the whole Body” (LG, 18). This year the Diocese of Paterson is blessed with ordinations in the three ranks of Holy Orders: Bishop, Priest, and Deacon. Those who receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders each in their own way serve the mission of Christ by exercising a ministry of teaching, sanctification, and service among God’s people.

Leading toward the things that pertain to God

On July 1, 2020 our local church celebrated the Ordination and the Installation of the Eighth Bishop of Paterson, The Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney. In Episcopal Ordination, Bishop Sweeney was charged with keeping watch over the flock of Christ. Among the many responsibilities of the Bishop is the call to lead all people toward “the things that pertain to God” (Instruction, Ordination of a Bishop). The Bishop is assisted in his ministry by his co-workers, the priests, and assisted also by deacons.

Successor to the apostles ordaining for sacred service

The Bishop, as successor of the apostles, chooses candidates to be ordained by the power of the Holy Spirit as priests and deacons for lifelong service to the People of God.

In the name of the Lord Jesus

The Diocese of Paterson will celebrate the Ordination of Priests on August 1 and the Ordination of transitional Deacons, deacons who are eventually to be ordained priests, on July 31, and August 9. On August 22, fourteen candidates will be ordained permanent deacons. Permanent deacons are those will remain in the order of deacons and serve the local church, commissioned in a special way to be heralds of the gospel and ministers of charity while remaining active in secular society. We thank God for all those who accept the call to faithfully serving “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).

The Ordination Ritual for Priests and Deacons

The structure of the ordination of priests and deacons, like that of bishop, leads toward the celebration of the Eucharist from which “The Church draws her life” (Pope Saint John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 1). Elements of the Rites of Ordination for both priests and deacons share common and also unique characteristics.

The Election: Following the calling forth of the candidates, the Bishop calls for testimony from those responsible for the formation of the candidates for ordination. After attestation to the worthiness of the candidates, the Bishop chooses the candidates to be elect. The people signify their assent to the election through expressing gratitude to God and applause. The election signifies that the call to orders is made by God in the communion of the Church: “No one takes this honor to himself, but only when called by God” (Hebrews 5:4).

The Instruction: The Bishop exercises his teaching office by explaining to the people and the elect the meaning of the office and the commitments that the elect will make and the responsibilities of the order that they will receive through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Promises of the Elect: Those who are to be ordained deacons and priests promise obedience to the Bishop and his successors indicating that their ministry is exercised under the authority of the shepherd of the local church and in union with him.

Candidates for the transitional diaconate candidates and unmarried candidates for the diaconate make promise of celibacy as a sign of dedication for “the kingdom of heaven.”

The Litany of Supplication: As the saints of heaven are called upon, those to be ordained lie prostrate before the altar. The elect humbly acknowledge their complete dependence upon God as they seek the prayers of the saints to strengthen them. The communion of saints in heaven and the faithful gathered as one pray for those to be ordained.

The Laying on of Hands: With deep scriptural roots in both the Old and the New Testaments, the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop is an ancient liturgical rite and can be traced to the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus of the first century.

In the New Testament the practice of Laying on of Hands, the heart of ordination, can be traced back to the apostles who first set aside seven men to assist them in the ministry of charity. The first deacons were presented “to the apostles and after prayer they laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:6). The heart of the Rite of Ordination has changed very little over two millennia: the call by the Church to serve and the consecration to ordained ministry by apostolic authority to serve Body of Christ and to strengthen members in their baptismal calling.

 At priestly ordination, after the Bishop lays hands on each of the elect, all of the priests present then impose hands as a sign of the unity of priestly ministry. In the case of deacons, only the Bishop lays hands on those chosen for ordination and other deacons do not impose hands.

The Consecratory Prayer: Along with the Laying on of Hands, the Consecratory Prayer offered by the Bishop alone constitutes the heart of the Ordination Ritual. The Prayer invokes the biblical history of priesthood from the Old through the New Testament which reaches its fulfillment with the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ in which the new priest has a share. In the prayer for deacons the ministry of the word and of service is recalled through Old Testament and New Testament foundations. In the prayer for deacons, their ministry of service so central in the early Church is invoked as an example for them to follow.

Following the Laying on of Hands and the Consecratory Prayer are the “explanatory rites” which are liturgical expression of the meaning of the order which has been received.

The Investiture: Priests and deacons are vested by brothers from their rank. As the newly ordained priests put aside their vestments as deacons, they are clothed in the vestments proper to Mass, the chasuble and stole since the Mass is the center of the priest’s life. The deacon is vested in stole and dalmatic which make note of their unique liturgical roles.

The Anointing:  The hands of the new priests are anointed as a sign of the seal of the Holy Spirit they have received and to consecrate them to offer sacrifice on behalf of the People of God. Deacons do not receive an anointing at ordination.

The Handing on of the Bread and Wine or Book of Gospels: The newly ordained priests are given bread and wine to offer for the People of God in the Eucharist. The deacons are handed the Gospel Book indicating their new role as heralds of the gospel.

The Fraternal Kiss of Peace: The Fraternal Kiss of Peace indicates welcome and unity of ministry within each of the three orders who each work in communion with the other two. The Bishop as shepherd of the flock is the first to welcome and is then followed by the priests and deacons, respectively at each ordination.

Do the will of God from the heart

As we pray with those who are to be ordained priests and deacons for our local church of Paterson, we ask that the newly ordained and all of the ordained throughout the world and “Do the will of God from the heart and serve the people in love and joy . . . as they would the Lord” (Instruction, Ordination of Deacons).