GOD. Hearken to our prayers and supplications, Thou Who wondrously orderest all things by the word of Thy might, Who always adornest Thy Church with divers flowers, in that Thou makest it bright with holy works and the lives of devout women, and Who hast been pleased, moreover, to unite to the number of Thy servants Thine handmaid M. Pour down upon her, whom we set apart, trusting faithfully in Thy divine confirmation, the grace of the HOLY SPIRIT, that her service may at all times be well-pleasing unto Thee, and vouchsafe to bless and hallow her for the noble work of Thy ministry with Thy right hand of power, that she may faithfully discharge the duty of her office, and may be strengthened by the might of the same sevenfold HOLY SPIRIT of grace. We pray Thee, O LORD, that there may rest upon her the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and fill her with the Spirit of Thy fear. Grant her, moreover, gravity of conduct and strictness of life, that she may meditate on Thy law day and night, keep Thy commandments, obey Thy precepts, busy herself in devout reading, contemn worldly and temporal things, and at all times occupy herself in good works, overcome evil desires, be firm in her love of chaste purity, that she may meet with unquenchable lamp Thee her Bridegroom when Thou comest, and not be shut out with the foolish virgins, but be suffered to enter into the King's gate with the wise ones. Cause all virtue to abound in her. Let her be lowly in ruling, steadfast in modesty, innocent in purity, and observant in spiritual discipline. Let Thy pre cepts shine in her conduct, that by her example she may be a pattern for all those set under her, showing the testimony of a good conscience in sincerity, may abide firm and unshaken in CHRIST JESUS, and so with Thy help discharge the office committed to her, that she may of Thy bounty attain an everlasting reward. Through the same. Then shall the Bishop give the Rule and Keys of the House into her hands, saying, Receive the Keys, the tokens of authority in this House, and the Rule of holy conversation, which brings with it blessing, that thou mayest through it appear unstained, with the flock entrusted to thee, before the LORD in the day of His awful judgment, and He vouchsafe to help thee, Who with the FATHER and the HOLY GHOST, liveth. Then shall the Bishop proceed to bless the Pastoral Staff. LORD. Ry. Who hath made heaven . Our help is in the Name of the and earth. . The LORD, &c. R. And with, &c. . Let us pray. 622. Almighty and merciful God, Who of Thine unspeakable goodness hearkenest to our supplications, and of Thine abundant loving kindness givest to us the desire to pray, plenteously pour the might of Thy bless+ing upon this Staff which we dedicate in Thy Name, as a token of the pastoral office, that she who is furnished therewith may suffer none to stray from the unity so diligently keep Thy people as to of the Church, but may make whole that which is broken, stablish that which is shaken, and may keep herself together with her flock whole and undefiled for Thee. Through. The Bishop shall deliver the Staff to the Superior-Elect, saying, In the Name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, receive the Pastoral Staff, to keep His sheep and to give them back to the Shepherd of shepherds. Amen. Then shall he bless the Ring of Office. Our help, &c. 623. O God, Creator of heaven and earth, and merciful restorer of mankind, Who givest all spiritual grace and blessing, and Who writest Thy holy Law in the hearts of believers with Thy finger, which is Thine Only-begotten SON; Bl+ess, O LORD, and hal+low this Ring, and send upon it Thy sevenfold HOLY SPIRIT, that Thine handmaid, filled with Him, and pledged by the Ring of faith, may be kept without sin through the power of the most High, and that all the blessings of Holy Writ may plenteously descend upon her. Through. Then the Bishop adds, Receive this Ring, the token of Faith, that thou mayest be called the Bride of the HOLY GHOST, and so faithfully serve Him. Through. Let us pray. Who madest Miriam, the sister of Moses, leading the other virgins amidst the waters with timbrels and dances, to come in joy to the shore of the sea; we humbly entreat Thee for Thy faithful handmaid M., who is to-day set on the Mother's seat over all those entrusted to her, that she may govern all Thine handmaidens with such godly rule as with Thy help to enter joyfully with all Thy saints into everlasting glory, and then, exulting with the angels and singing the new song, may follow whithersoever He goeth, the Lamb of God, JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Who. Then the Bishop shall put her into her seat, saying, Receive full and free power of ruling this house and its Community, and all things spiritual and temporal which belong to its outer and inner government. [But if it be not in her own House, the Bishop shall say, Stand in righteousness and holiness, and keep the place committed to thee by GOD, for GOD is able to increase His grace in thee.] Then shall be sung the Te Deum. Benediction. The merciful LORD grant thee such purity and gentleness, that never overcome by the evil one, thou mayest triumph in holiness over all evil things. R. Amen. 624. Almighty, everlasting GOD, Who dost clothe them that are dedicated to Thee with the vestment of Thy service in this world, to the end that they may attain the robe of glory in the next; we pray Thee that Thou wouldst bestow on this Thine handmaid, whom in Thy Name we have received and blessed, and on whom we have invoked Thy mercy, all the graces that Thou requirest in a steward of Thine household. Make her, O LORD, patient as Sarah, faithful as Rebekah, courageous as Deborah; give her faith towards Thee, hope as concerneth Thy work, love towards her Sisters; grant that, in respect of this world, she may be a true Martha, labouring for Thee; as regards the next world, she may be a beloved Mary, kneeling at Thy Feet. Grant that in her that may be fulfilled which Thou didst foretell by Thy So that, with the centurion, by Prophet, the plenteousness of chiltrue confession of the LORD's power dren which such as she is should and of thine own lowliness, thou offer to Thee; grant that she may mayest through the steadfastness of be a blessing to this house, and that thy faith obtain from Him the healthis house may be her title to re-ing of all weakness in the household ward at the Last Day. Through. which is set under thee. R. Amen. And the blessing of GOD, &c. 625. O LORD GOD Almighty, He grant thee, through prudence of spirit, to look down upon all the craftiness of carnal wisdom, and to show fitting honour and respect for the office which thou holdest under CHRIST our High Priest. Ry. Amen. ADMISSION OF A DEACONESS. The Candidate shall be presented to the Bishop by some Priest appointed for that purpose, with these words: Right Reverend Father in GOD, I present to you this person to be admitted to the office and work of a Deaconess. Bishop. Have you reason to believe her to be fit in body and mind, in zeal, piety, and perseverance, for the discharge of this office? Priest. I believe her so to be. Bishop. Dearly beloved, it belongeth generally to the office of a Deaconess to assist the Clergy in all such good works as shall be committed unto them; especially visiting and tending the sick and needy, teaching the ignorant, and taking order for the seemly maintenance of GOD's House, and of the things pertaining thereto. Art thou ready, of thine own free will, to undertake this work, and to give thyself faithfully thereto ? Candidate. I am ready, GOD being my helper. Bishop. Wilt thou be obedient to them who are over thee in the LORD, cheerfully and faithfully performing the service that shall be appointed to thee? Can. I will, by the help of GOD. [If the Deaconess is to join a Community, the following questions may be added. The Bishop shall ask the Superior of the Community, or her deputy: Have you consented to admit N. into your Community? Ans. We have so consented. rules of the Community, so long as thou remainest a member of it? Can. I promise so to do. Bishop. Wilt thou help thy Sisters in their work and labour of love ? Wilt thou cultivate and preserve sisterly love towards thy fellow-helpers, and all others, and above all, endeavour to order thy the doctrine of CHRIST, and to live life and conversation according to in His faith and fear? Ans. I will do so, the LORD being my helper.] The Candidate shall then kneel in front of the Bishop, who shall pray as follows: 626. Almighty and everlasting GOD, Who hast hallowed women by the birth of Thine Only-begotten SON, our LORD, from a pure Virgin ; look now, O LORD, on this Thine Thy ministry, send down on her handmaid, call her to the work of the rich gifts of Thy HOLY SPIRIT; keep her steadfast in the faith, and grant that she may always fulfil her office according to Thy good pleasure. Through. The Bishop shall lay his hands on the head of each person to be made Deaconess, and say, I admit thee, N., to the office of Deaconess [and as Sister of Home], in the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Ry. Amen. Then giving the Cross or Badge, the Bishop shall say, Receive and wear this Cross [or Badge], a symbol of thy profession Then the Bishop shall ask the Can- as a Deaconess. Be not ashamed didate: to confess the faith of CHRIST cru Wilt thou faithfully observe the cified, and ever bear in thy heart the remembrance of His love Who died on the Cross for thee. The Bishop shall then bless the Deaconess as follows: GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON, GOD the HOLY GHOST bless, preserve, and sanctify thee, and so fill thee with all spiritual benediction and grace, with all faith, wisdom, and humility, that thou mayest serve before Him to the glory of His great Name, and to the benefit of His Church and people: make thee faithful unto death, and give thee the crown of everlasting life. Rz. Amen. V. Our help is in the Name of the LORD. R. Who hath made heaven and earth. Y. O LORD, bless Thine handmaid. R. Who putteth her trust in Thee. Make her a clean heart, O LORD. Ry. And renew a right spirit within her. V. Give Thine Angels charge over her. R. To keep her in all Thy ways. . O LORD, hear, &c. Ry. And let, &c. . The LORD, &c. R. And with, &c. V. Let us pray. Our FATHER, &c. Let us pray. 627. Grant, O LORD, we beseech Thee, to Thine handmaid whom we have called to the office of Deaconess, the grace of perseverance in her ministry; bestow on her the gifts of wisdom and sound judgment, of simplicity and singleness of heart, of sympathy with those amongst whom she dwells and works, of ready obedience to all lawful rule and authority; of firmness when she herself is called to rule, and of courtesy and mildness towards all with whom she has to do. Thou, O LORD, her guide in all doubt, her support in weariness, and her comfort in sorrow, that Thou mayest be also unto her an exceeding great reward in the day of the revelation of Thine Onlybegotten SON. To Whom with Thee and the HOLY GHOST, &c. Be unto us, O LORD, not unto us. Ry. But unto Thy Name give the praise. ✯. O LORD, save Thy servants. Ry. Who put their trust in Thee. V. LORD, hear, &c. R. And let, &c. . Let us pray. Prevent us, &c. 628. O GOD, Who by Thy FATHER'S might didst burst the fiery barriers of hell, and by Thy Blood didst purchase unto Thyself a people for evermore; clothe us with the spiritual arms of godliness and the invincible power of the holy Cross, to be our aid when in battle against the devil, until we recover Thine heritage for Thee from his unrighteous grasp, and Thou Who didst once come down in mercy to the house of Zacchæus, vouchsafe to come into this house also which we are about to hallow, and enrich with spiritual joy the people who are assembled at its dedication, O SAVIOUR of the world, LORD JESUS CHRIST. Who livest. Ant. It shall come to pass that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Ps. 48. Great is the LORD, &c. Ant. It shall come to pass that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the GOD of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. The Bishop standing before the Church door, and holding the Pastoral Staff in his hand, shall say, Let us pray. 629. Almighty, everlasting GOD, Who art everywhere present, and workest in all places throughout Thy kingdom; hearken to our petitions, and as Thou hast founded this House, so be now its Protector and Defence. Let no rebel powers resist Thee here, but grant that by GHOST there may be offered unto the powerful working of the HOLY Thee a pure service in godly freedom. Through. Almighty and merciful GOD, Who hast granted such grace unto Thy Priests, that whatsoever they do fitly in Thy Name is held as done by Thee; we entreat Thy great goodness that Thou wouldst visit whatsoever we shall visit, and bless whatsoever we shall bless, and grant that as we enter this place in lowliness of heart, the evil spirits may be put to flight, and the Angel of peace enter in. Through. Then shall the Bishop strike three times the threshold of the Church door, saying, Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. The Deacon from within shall say, Who is the King of Glory? The Bishop replies, It is the LORD, strong and mighty, even the LORD mighty in battle. The LORD of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. The Bishop shall then say, The Church doors shall then be opened, and the Bishop, giving the Pastoral Staff into the hands of the Chaplain, shall receive a Cross, and enter the Church, saying, Peace be to this house. Ant. Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the LORD. Ps. 122. I was glad, &c. |