Ordination of a bishop is filled with beauty, ancient symbolism

The ceremony of episcopal ordination takes place during the celebration of the Eucharist.

The Scripture readings chosen by Bishop-elect Ralph B. O’Donnell for his ordination will be from the Book of Isaiah, St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, and the Gospel According to St. Luke.

Apostolic Mandate

The ancient “Veni Creator Spiritus” (“Come, Holy Spirit”) will be chanted before the reading of the Apostolic Mandate, the official appointment of the new bishop by Pope Leo XIV.

In the presence of Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis, principal consecrator, will then address all present on the duties of a bishop. He will question the bishop-elect at length regarding his willingness to assume the responsibilities of bishop.

The Litany of Supplication (often referred to as the Litany of Saints) will then be chanted. The litany is a prayer of intercession that reveals the catholicity of the Church in the Communion of Saints across time. It is also prayed at the ordination of deacons and priests.

Essentials of the Rite

The actual Ordination Rite will follow. Archbishop Rozanski will impose his hands on the bishop-elect as an outward sign of the invoking of the Holy Spirit. The other bishops present will do likewise.

The Ordination Prayer will be prayed aloud by the principal consecrator alone in part and in part with the attending bishops.

Anointed

The new bishop’s head will then be anointed with the Oil of Sacred Chrism, a sacramental of the Holy Spirit. Anointing with oil is a biblical and traditional Christian sign of being permanently marked for God’s service.

Symbols

The new bishop will receive the Book of the Gospels as principal teacher in the diocese and successor to the Apostles. He will also receive an episcopal ring as a “seal of faith,” the pastoral staff (crosier) as a symbol of the bishop’s role as shepherd, and the miter as a crown of holiness.

He will receive the liturgical kiss of peace from his fellow bishops as a welcome into the episcopal order, and will then go to the bishop’s chair in the cathedral, symbol of his teaching office.

One Priesthood

The Liturgy of the Eucharist will then take place. Concelebration by the bishops and attending priests emphasizes the oneness of the Priesthood on earth, which is a share in the one Priesthood of Christ.

After Holy Communion, the new bishop will be led through the cathedral by two bishops and will address the congregation after the singing of a hymn.