Diaconal Ordination:
Explaining the ceremony
Before the ceremony begins,it may be useful to read the explanatory texts in the brochure.
1. The ceremony begins as a normal solemn Mass with the opening rites of the Mass, the readings and the Gospel.
2. After the reading of the Gospel, everyone sits down and the diaconate ordination rites begins.
a) The candidates are called by name, and they stand up and respond in Latin: "Adsum" (Present).
b) Afterwards, comes the presentation of the candidates. The person responsible for the formation of the future deacons asks the Bishop to ordain them. The Bishop after a brief dialogue in which he asks if the candidates are worthy, preaches the homily as the faithful are seated.
c) At the end of the homily the candidates stand up and the Bishop asks them a series of questions (if they want to be deacons, to be committed to preaching the Gospel, to be faithful to the Prelate of Opus Dei, etc.)
d) Then the candidates prostrate themselves on the floor as a sign of humility and supplication. In the meantime, the "Litany of the Saints" is sung to those who are asked to help the ordinands.
Now, begins the most important moments of the ordination:
e) Laying on of Hands: The Bishop lays his hands on the head of each candidate. This is the moment when the Holy Spirit descends through the sacrament upon the candidate.
f) Consecration Prayer: When all the chosen ones kneel before the Bishop, the latter says the Prayer of Ordination, which expresses the meaning of ordination. The prayer is directed to Almighty God who by the power of the Holy Spirit provides for the various forms of ministry within the Church of Christ.
God takes possession of these men and consecrates them as deacons, to assist the Bishop and the priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries, especially the Holy Mass and the distribution of the Eucharist; to attend the celebration of marriage and bless it; to proclaim the Gospel and preach; and to give themselves to the various services of charity.
By the imposition of the Bishop's hands and the Prayer of Ordination the candidates are given the gift of the Holy Spirit for the function of deacon: the two signs are the essential elements of ordination.
After the consecratory prayer the candidate becomes a deacon.
g) Investiture of the deacons: A priest dresses each deacon with a stole in the diaconal manner and dalmatic, a garment proper to deacons, so that the ministry they will henceforth exercise may be manifested externally.
h) Presentation of the book of the Gospels: The newly ordained deacons approach the Bishop, kneeling before him. The Bishop places the Book of the Gospel in the hands of each one, thus symbolising his task of preaching the Good News to all the people.
3. From this point the Mass continues normally with the Eucharistic liturgy: the Eucharistic prayer, the communion rite and finally the concluding rite.