The Diaconal Ordination should fall within the Mass immediately before the Peace. The deacons and lay-readers should prepare the altar area for the Ordination. The Bishop's throne should be placed in front of the altar rail gate and a deacon or priest should stand just to the right of the throne.
Diaconal Ordination
The Bishop and people are seated. A Priest or Lay Person presents the Ordinand who stands before the Bishop.
Presenter(s): Rt. Rev. Name, Bishop in the Church of God, on behalf of the people of the Anglican Rite Archdiocese of the Americas-Celtic Rite, we present to you Name, to be ordained Deacon in Christ's holy, apostolic, catholic, and orthodox Church.
Bishop: Has he been selected in accordance with the requirements of the Church? And do you believe his manner of life to be suitable to the exercise of this ministry?
Presenter(s): We certify to you that he has satisfied the requirements of the Church, and we believe he to be qualified for this Holy Order.
The Bishop says to the Ordinand.
Bishop: Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as the Anglican Rite Archdiocese of the Americas-Celtic Rite has received them? And will you, in accordance with the Church, obey your Bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?
Ordinand: I am willing and ready to do so; and I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, that the Nicene Creed is the accurate summation of the Faith delivered by Christ to the Apostles, that the seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church were guided by the Holy Spirit, and that Holy Scripture, the Nicene Creed, and the Ecumenical Councils contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Anglican Rite Archdiocese of the Americas-Celtic Rite.
All stand. The Bishop says to the people.
Bishop: Dear friends in Christ, you know the importance of this ministry, and the weight of your responsibility in presenting Name for ordination to the sacred order of Deacons. Therefore, if any of you know any impediment or crime because of which we should not proceed, come forward now and make it known.
If no objection is made, the Bishop continues.
Bishop: Is it your will that Name be ordained Deacon?
Congregation: It is.
Bishop: Will you uphold him in his ministry?
Congregation: We will.
All are seated except the ordinand who stands before the Bishop. The Bishop addresses the ordinand as follows.
Bishop: My brother, every Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ, serving God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood directly under your Bishop. In the name of Jesus Christ you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely. As a Deacon in the Church, you are to study the Holy Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model your life upon them. You are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your work and example, to those among whom you live, work, and worship. You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. You are to assist the Bishop and Priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments, and to carry out other duties assigned to you from time to time. At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself. My brother, do you believe that you are truly called by God and his Church to the life and work of a deacon?
Ordinand: I believe I am so called.
Bishop: Do you now in the presence of the Church commit yourself to this trust and responsibility?
Ordinand: I do.
Bishop: Will you be guided by the pastoral direction and leadership of your Bishop?
Ordinand: I will.
Bishop: Will you be faithful in prayer, and in the reading and study of the Holy Scriptures?
Ordinand: I will.
Bishop: Will you look for Christ in all others, being ready to help and serve those in need as a friend of the soul?
Ordinand: I will.
Bishop: Will you do your best to pattern your life and that of your family, household, and community in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to all people?
Ordinand: I will.
Bishop: Will you in all things seek not your glory but the glory of the Lord Christ?
Ordinand: I will.
Bishop: May the Lord by his grace uphold you in the service he lays upon you.
Ordinand: Amen.
All now stand except the Ordinand who kneels facing the Bishop. The hymn, Veni Sancte Spiritus, is sung. A period of silent prayer follows, the people still standing. The Bishop then says the Prayer of Consecration.
Bishop: O God, most merciful Father, we praise you for sending your Son Jesus Christ, who took upon himself the form of a servant, and humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death on the Cross. We praise you that you have highly exalted him, and made him Lord of all; and that through him, we know that whoever would be great must be servant of all. We praise you, for the many ministries in your Church, and for calling this your servant to the order of Deacons.
Here the Bishop lays hands upon the head of the ordinand and prays.
Bishop: Therefore, Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, give your Holy Spirit to Name; fill him with grace and power, and make him a Deacon in your Church.
The Bishop then touches his crozier to the shoulders of the Ordinand and prays.
Bishop: Make him, O Lord, modest and humble, strong and constant, to observe the discipline of Christ. Let his life and teaching so reflect your commandments, that through him many may come to know you and love you. As your Son came not to be served but to serve, may this Deacon share in Christ's service, and come to the unending glory of him who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever and ever.
Congregation: Amen.
The new Deacon is now vested. The Bishop is seated and vests the Deacon with a red stole which is placed over the left shoulder and fastened under the right arm. He makes the sign of the Cross over the heart of the new Deacon as he prays:
Bishop: Take the red stole for a symbol of your office, remembering that it symbolizes the Blood shed for the remission of your sins and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide you in your Christian ministry. In the name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit.
Deacon: Amen.
The Bishop delivers to the new Deacon the Words of Christ and prays:
Bishop: Take the authority to read and proclaim the Gospel in the Church of God and to assist in the ministration of the holy Sacraments. In the name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit.
Deacon: Amen.
The Bishop rises and blesses the Deacon.
Bishop: O Christ, the Lord of Love, who by the heavenly and earthly service of angels which you order, shed over all your creation the efficacy of your will; pour out on this your servant the fullness of your blessing (+) that, in the fellowship of the angels and the communion of saints, he may minister worthily at your holy altars, boldly and truthfully proclaim your Holy Gospel, and be endowed with heavenly virtue and grace; in the name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
The Deacon rises and turns to the congregation. The Bishop says:
Bishop: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Congregation: And blessed be his Kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Bishop: Jesus Christ, the King of Tenderness, binds us with a bond of love that cannot be broken. My beloved, the peace of Christ be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
The Peace is passed and the newly ordained deacon then mingles with the people. The altar area is prepared for Holy Communion and the service continues with Holy Communion.