The Ordinal

"The time will come when I will gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see my glory, and I will also take from among them priests and Levites." Says the Lord. Isaiah 66: 18b, 21

Solemn Declaration to be signed by the Candidates for the Sacred Orders in this Church on the day of their ordination:

"I N.N., chosen for the office and work of (Bishop, Priest or Deacon) in the Church of God and for the service of the Diocese of N., located in N.N.

I firmly believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God revealed to the world and containing all things necessary for salvation; And I have nothing to teach or preach that is contrary to them; And together with the Apostolic Tradition form the Sacred Deposit of Faith entrusted by Christ our Lord to his Church; And that it must preserve intact until the end of time, without adjustments or innovations, according to the criteria of this passing world; Because the truths of God are immutable.

Likewise, I commit to conform my Ministry to the Doctrine, Discipline and Cult of this Church; As expressed in the historical forms: the 39 Articles of Religion, the Ordinal and the Book of Common Prayer; As well as to the Constitution and Canons in force.

And I promise due respect and obedience to my Bishop N. and his Successors, as well as to the other ministers, who according to the Canons, have authority and government over me; Following their pious admonitions with true reverence, joy and goodwill; And I will always have a spirit of brotherhood with my brothers clergymen and laity; So that all may be to the greater glory of God and his Holy Church. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen".

Of the Constitution and Canons, Article XVII, Of the Ordained Ministry, secc. 3

Preface to the Ordinal

It is evident that those who have read diligently the Sacred Scriptures and the Ancient Authors know that since the time of the Apostles these three different Orders of Ministers have existed in the Holy Catholic Church of Christ, namely,

The Bishops, Successors of the Apostles in the government of the Church, who by the Episcopal Consecration receive the fullness of the Sacrament of Orders to teach, sanctify and govern the portion of the flock of Christ entrusted to them, which is called : Diocese, for which they are High Priests, charged with guarding the faith, unity and discipline of the Church; Make present Christ, Head of the Church and Good Shepherd who gave his life for his sheep.

Priests, Priests of the New Covenant, second degree of the Sacrament of Order, collaborators of the Bishops in the government of the Church, in the preaching of the Gospel and in the administration of the Holy Sacraments, in particular they stand out: the Holy Eucharist ; In which the Sacrifice of Christ on the cross is renewed in a bloodless or mystical way and its fruits are applied to us; The Baptism by which we receive the forgiveness of sins and are elevated to the dignity of children of God, heirs of the kingdom of the heavens; We are made members of the Catholic Church and partakers of the common priesthood of Christ in the faithful; And, besides the Sacrament of Penance, absolving in the name of God the sins of the penitents; Make present Christ, Priest and Victim, Sacerdos Alter Christus - the Priest is another Christ.

The Deacons, First Degree of the Priestly Order, who assist the Bishops and Presbyters in their ministry. In communion with them and under their supervision, they perform some liturgical functions; In addition, it is the Deacon's own charism, that of ministering in the name of Christ to the poor, the sick, the afflicted and the helpless. The Diaconate can be transient to the Presbyterate or permanently, according to the vocation of the recipient; Make present Christ, Servant of all.

Professions which have always been in such respectable esteem that no one ever dared to perform them without being first called by God and examined, approved and recognized as possessing those gifts and requisites necessary to perform as a good minister of Christ; In addition, with the approval and admission of the legitimate Authority of the Church; There is the Ordinance Ceremony in which, by the Solemn Consecration Prayer for each of the three degrees of the Sacrament of Orders, in which God is asked for the Ordering of the Holy Spirit's graces required to perform his ministry with fidelity; United this prayer to the imposition of hands of the Bishop or Bishops on the head of the Ordering.

It is only up to the bishops ordained in the line of Apostolic Succession to validly confer the three degrees of the Sacrament of Order.

The Sacred Ordination impresses on the soul of the Ordering an indelible sacramental Character which configures it with Christ Priest, Pastor and Master, to act in the Church in persona Christi Capitis, so that once received in a valid and lawful manner the Sacrament of Order, This can not be reiterated in life, without committing serious sin.

The Sacrament of Priestly Order is the full realization of those realities which foreshadowed in the Old Testament the threefold Jewish priesthood: High Priest, Priests and Levites.

It has been and is the intention and purpose of this visible branch of the Church of God militant on earth to maintain and continue these three Orders of Ministers; And, for this purpose, these Rites of Ordination and Consecration are established. And therefore, in order that these Orders may continue and be revered and esteemed in this Church, no one shall be held by a legitimate Bishop, Priest or Deacon, nor shall he be permitted to exercise any of his respective functions in this Church, but only that which for this Had previously been called, examined, approved and admitted according to the following formulas, or who previously received Episcopal Ordination or Consecration from the hands of Bishops recognized by this Church as duly qualified to confer Holy Orders.

According to the Holy Scriptures, the millennial Tradition of the Church of Christ and following the example of our Lord, only the baptized men validly receive the Holy Ordination, even though they are married. And no one will be admitted to Deacon, Priest or Bishop if he does not meet the requirements and is not the age required by the Canon who deals with this matter, being these ages: Deacons, at least 23 years old; Priests, at least 24 years old; Bishops, at least 35 years old and at least 5 years as a Priest.

And the Bishop, knowing for himself, or by sufficient testimony on some person whose life and conduct have been virtuous and without any crime; Which has already received the Ministries, and which, after examination and approval, finds it sufficiently versed in the study of the Sacred Scriptures and well instructed in the other matters necessary for the holy ministry, as required by the Canons, may, at the appointed times , Or in urgent circumstances on any other day, admit to the Diaconate, in the presence of the Church, according to the following manner and formula:

Introductory prayer to Veni Creator Spiritus

Ordaining Bishop:

The Divine grace, which always heals what is sick, and supplies what we lack in its holy service, through our ministry, chooses the [Brother N., or Deacon N. or Presbyter N.], beloved of God, for the Order of [the deacons, the priests or the bishops] in their holy Catholic Church. Let us pray that the grace of the Holy Spirit may descend upon him, grant him his heavenly anointing, consecrate him and make him perfect in the exercise of the ministry for which he is presented.

People: Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.

Consecratory Prayer for the Diaconate

Bishop: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.

Bishop: Let´s pray.

The Bishop continues:

We thank you because in your great goodness, you continue to send workers into your vineyard; So that in due time they may raise the spiritual harvest awaited by you, O Holy Father! Therefore, it seemed good to you to call this servant your N., to the Order of the Diaconate in your holy Church; For the service of your altar and of charity.

The people remain standing, the ordering remains on their knees in front of the Bishop, this one with the miter placed, imposes his hands on the head of the chosen one, while saying:

N. N. RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, FOR THE OFFICE AND WORK OF A DEACON IN THE CHURCH OF GOD, NOW CONFERRED UNTO THEE BY THE IMPOSITION OF OUR HANDS. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN. BE AN EXAMPLE IN WORD, CONDUCT, LOVE, SPIRIT, FAITH AND PURITY.

The Bishop, removed the miter, continues:

Fill him, Father, we pray you, with the Holy Spirit Paraclete, just as you filled your holy deacon Stephen, the Protomartyr; That he may be full of the seven gifts of his grace, may be faithful to his promises, be modest, humble, and constant in the discharge of his ministry; Always have a mind and a ready will to observe all spiritual discipline; To keep the Mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, and that, encouraged by the testimony of that good conscience, persevere always faithful to your call, strong in faith, stable in charity, constant in prayer and firm in the sound doctrine given Once to the saints.

That imitating on earth your beloved Son, who did not come to be served, but to serve, deserves to serve him on the heavenly altar, when he goes to your Presence, O God of infinite majesty.

All this we ask of you through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, to whom, with you, O merciful Father, and the Holy Spirit, your Church honors, glorifies and adores you from generation to generation. Amen.

After the Consecratory Prayer has finished, the Bishop, with the miter placed, sits at the See and continues the explanatory rites of the Sacrament {Imposition of the ornaments and Traditio Instrumentorum}.

Consecratory Prayer for the Priesthood

Bishop: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.

Bishop: Let´s pray.

The Bishop continues:

O Almighty and everlasting God, source and source of all power and truth, which you have revealed through your Holy Spirit to your apostles the degrees and ministries of the priesthood: first the bishops, second the presbyters and third the deacons a so that your Church, scattered throughout the world and throughout all times, offer to your Divine Majesty, through Jesus Christ, spiritual sacrifices that are pleasing to you and that your people be grazed, edified and sanctified: we give you thanks because in your great goodness and mercy you sent us Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to be our redeemer and author of eternal life; Who after fulfilling his death on the cross the plan drawn by you, O Lord! From very old; He raised you up from the dead, and before ascending to heaven, at your right hand, Holy Father, sent the Apostles all over the world, those whom He had chosen beforehand, by whose work and ministry he gathered a numerous flock: chosen lineage, royal priesthood, holy nation, people redeemed by their precious Blood and destined to proclaim everlasting praise to your Most Holy Name; And in order that the Apostolic Work might be continued, in each place where the Church was established, they were designating, through prayer and the laying of hands to the Presbyters, the first fruits of their preaching, faithful men, of righteous and good faith Conscience, as Pastors and Teachers of the nascent Church; In order to equip the saints for the Work of the ministry; Whom you honored and crowned with the name of priests; Judges and administrators of your grace and truth, for the edification and perfection of your beloved Church.

We thank you with all your heart, because today you continue to call and send workers to your vineyard; Therefore, you have deigned to call this servant of yours N. to the Order of the Presbyters in your holy Church; Diligent collaborators of the Episcopal Order, Priests of the New Covenant, Heralds of the Gospel, Ministers and Ambassadors of Christ, Pastors and Masters of your beloved flock.

For these great benefits of your eternal goodness, we praise you, bless you, adore you and glorify you; And we implore you, by your most blessed Son, to grant to all of us here in your Presence, or in any other place, let us invoke your Holy Name, show our filial gratitude to you, for these and all your blessings, O God of mercy , Walking in new life and in your holy service; And that we may daily grow more and more in the knowledge, love and faith in you, and in your only begotten Son, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit; So that not only through this your priest, but also through those on whom he was made a pastor, may your Holy Name be eternally glorified; And spread your kingdom of love, truth, peace and justice throughout the world for the salvation of the human race.

The people remain standing, the ordering remains on their knees in front of the Bishop, this one with the miter placed, imposes his hands on the head of the chosen one, while saying:

N. N. RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE OFFICE AND WORK OF A PRIEST IN THE CHURCH OF GOD, NOW CONFERRED UNTO THEE BY THE IMPOSITION OF OUR HANDS. WHOSE SINS DOST FORGIVE THEY ARE FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS THOU DOST RETAIN, THEY ARE RETAINED. BE A FAITHFUL DISPENSER OF THE WORD OF GOD AND OF HIS HOLY SACRAMENTS; IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.

Then, in silence, each of the Presbyters present, in stole, join the Bishop in the Imposition of hands. After imposing their hands on the Head of the Ordenando, they remain in the Altar to the sides of the Bishop, with its right hand extended towards the Ordenes. They remain like this until the end of the Consecration Prayer.

The Bishop, removed the miter, continues:

Look with eyes of kindness, O Lord, to your servant N. whom you have deigned for our ministry, to elevate to priestly grace; Be worthy to be without reproach before your altar, to proclaim the Gospel of your kingdom, to administer your holy Mysteries, to truly fulfill the ministry of the Word, to offer your Divine Majesty the gifts of your Church, the bread of Life and the chalice of salvation, as a bloodless sacrifice for our health, to renew your people with the bath of regeneration, to anoint the sick, to absolve penitents, to bless the love of husbands and to administer the goods properly Of your Church.

That in the image of those seventy elders chosen by Moses in the desert, to be their help in the government of that people in the exodus; So may your servant be our help in the government of your pilgrim Church. Make him a faithful shepherd, a patient teacher, and a wise counselor; Give him a good account of the administration entrusted to him today; So that he may come to the meeting with our great God and Savior Jesus Christ on the day of his coming, and receive from his hands the unfading crown for the faithful fulfillment of his ministry, and hear from his lips: "Good and faithful servant, Enter into the joy of your Lord! "

All of this we ask of you through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, to whom, with you, O Father and the Holy Spirit, your Church honors, glorifies and adores from generation to generation. Amen.

After the Consecratory Prayer has ended, the Bishop, with the miter placed, sits at the seat and continues the explanatory rites of the Sacrament (imposition of the ornaments and Traditio Instrumentorum}.

Consecratory Prayer for the Episcopate

Principal Consecrator: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.

Principal Consecrator: Let´s pray.

The Consecrating Bishop continues:

O Almighty and everlasting God, source and source of all power and truth, which you have revealed through your Holy Spirit to your apostles the degrees and ministries of the priesthood: first the bishops, second the presbyters and third the deacons a so that your Church, scattered throughout the world and throughout all times, offer to your Divine Majesty, through Jesus Christ, spiritual sacrifices that are pleasing to you and that your people be grazed, edified and sanctified, That under the Old Law, by the ministry of Moses, your servant, you chose and consecrated Aaron, that the high priest of Israel and that should be clothed with those sacred garments, for the glory and beauty of his Office; and in the New Law, engraved not on tablets of stone, but in the minds and hearts of your people, you chose and consecrated Jesus Christ, your only begotten Son, our Lord, as High and Eternal Priest according to the Order of Melchizedek: because such a High Priest suited us: holy, innocent, immaculate; Pontiff of future goods, full of mercy and truth; who having consummated our redemption with his death on the cross and his glorious resurrection; having ascended into heaven, he poured out his gifts and charisms upon his elect; entrusting them with all authority and power from on high, partakers in his eternal priesthood, so that they would be his witnesses and ministers of his Gospel to the ends of the earth; promising them their Presence every day until the end of the world

Look with kindness on this Presbyter N. who has been chosen and judged worthy of being burdened with the yoke of the Gospel and of the apostolic ministry; and by the laying on of our hands, strengthen him with the coming, power and grace of the Holy Spirit, just as you strengthened the holy Apostles of Christ: Peter and Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew, James the Less and Judas Thaddeus, Simon and Matthias, Paul and Barnabas; Who by their preaching and zeal, established your Church by diverse places; And in order that this Apostolic Work continue for the centuries, they, they chose to some men faithful and very trustworthy like Timoteo and Titus; To be their successors, and they in turn, elect others, thus establishing a line of unbroken succession in your holy Church to this day.

Grant, O Lord! That your servant N. may be a worthy Successor of the Apostles of your beloved Son, may his episcopate be blameless like that of your holy Bishops and very glorious martyrs, Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna; Adorn him with perfect gravity and reverence; Make it holy so that it may be worthy to present before you the supplications and offerings of your Church, but above all, to be heard by you, Father Good.

Grant, we beseech thee, God of infinite majesty, this thy servant N .; Elect Bishop in your Church, such grace that he will always be ready to proclaim your Gospel, the good news of our reconciliation with you; Preaching in season and out of season; Reproving, rebuking, exhorting with sound doctrine, with all patience and faithful teaching, not following the criteria and fashions of this passing world; But keeping the Deposit of faith without spot or rebuke until the Parousia of our Lord; Give him the keys of the kingdom of heaven; To use the apostolic authority that is granted to it, not for destruction, but for salvation; Not to harm, but to help; So that as a faithful and prudent servant, give to your family in due time what is due to him, and that he wisely and piously watch over the life and work of your holy Church.

The Consecrating Bishop with the miter placed, imposes his hands on the head of the elect while saying:

N. N. RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE OFFICE AND WORK OF A BISHOP IN THE CHURCH OF GOD, NOW CONFERRED UNTO THEE BY THE IMPOSITION OF OUR HANDS; WHATEVER YOU BIND ON EARTH WILL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN, WHATEVER YOU LOOSE ON EARTH WILL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN. AND REMEMBER THAT THOU STIR UP THE GRACE OF GOD THAT GIVES YOU TODAY; FOR GOD DID NOT GIVE US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER, LOVE AND SOBERNESS.

Then the Co-consecrating Bishops silently lay their hands on the head of the elect with due intention. This done, each one return to its place next to the Consecrating Bishop, and keep his right hand extended to the elect until the end of the Prayer.

The Consecrating Bishop, removed the miter, continues:

O Lord our God, that you never abandon your children, but rather gather them together as in a great flock, where you bathe, nourish and heal their diseases; And according to your promise, raise up shepherds according to your Heart, whom you have placed at the head of your family, in the chair; So that in your Name, with the authority of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, you will feed your beloved flock with knowledge and intelligence; To offer you a Victim and Oblation for all your people; Do, O Lord, that this man who has been constituted a dispenser of episcopal grace, imitate in everything Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for your sheep.

May you exercise with righteousness the High Priesthood to which you have called him: forgiving sins as you established it through your beloved Son; To distribute the ministries and offices of the Church according to your will; That consecrate the churches and their altars; To ordain priests and deacons; To join us in the Consecration of Bishops; To administer the bath of regeneration to your people; That confirms in faith to his brothers; Which offers the holy gifts; That anoints the sick; That by his spiritual paternity among your people, bless the love of the spouses through their legacies; To judge with wisdom and righteousness; That bind and untie every bond, according to the power that Christ gave to his Apostles.

That by his goodness and purity of heart, his life be pleasing to you and I can offer you in a living, holy and reasonable sacrifice; Make him a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in darkness, a preceptor for the ignorant, a teacher for the children, a light of his generation in the world, so that, having gathered souls who You have entrusted yourself, present yourself without confusion in front of your tribunal and receive the reward you have prepared for those who have faithfully served you and suffered for the preaching of your Gospel.

All this we ask of you through Jesus Christ, Pastor and Bishop of our souls, our great High Priest and Eternal, to whom, with you, O heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit, your Church honors, glorifies and worships from generation to generation. Amen.

Once the Consecratory Prayer has finished, the acolyte or Deacon who holds the Gospel, withdraws it and preserves it until it is given to the newly consecrated.

The new Bishop stands, goes to the Credencia, where he will be prepared for the Sacred Anointing.

The consecrating bishop and the co-consecrating bishops sit, with miter and continue the explanatory rites of the Sacrament [Head Unction, Imposition of ornaments and Traditio instrumentorum]