The Ordination Mass for a bishop can be a lengthy liturgy, and if you don’t know what is going on, you can miss out on a lot of rich symbolism and meaning behind the various moments of the rite.
Here’s a brief summary of the key moments of the May 29 episcopal ordination:
Entrance Procession:
Hundreds of priests and deacons, at least a dozen bishops and one cardinal will process into St. Mark Church beginning at 1 p.m. for what is expected to be a two-hour liturgy with 2,000 ticketed guests filling the church and the adjacent Monsignor Joseph Kerin Center.
After the introductory rites and the Liturgy of the Word, with readings proclaimed in English and Spanish, the Rite of Ordination of a Bishop will begin.
The principal celebrant and consecrator for the liturgy will be Atlanta Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., a friend of the bishop-elect and fellow Franciscan. Co-consecrators will be
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the pope’s ambassador to the United States, and retiring Charlotte Bishop Peter Jugis.
Veni, Creator, Spiritus: The “Come, Creator Spirit” prayer is chanted after the Gospel reading, invoking the Holy Spirit.
Presentation of the Elect:
The bishop-elect is presented to the consecrating bishop by two assisting priests, both close friends of the bishop-elect: Father Michael Heine, OFM Conv., minister provincial of the Conventual Franciscans of OLA Province, and Father Jude Michael Krill, OFM Conv. They will ask the principal consecrator, Archbishop Hartmayer, to ordain the bishop-elect in the name of the Diocese of Charlotte.
Apostolic Letter:
The apostolic letter from Pope Francis is then read aloud by Cardinal Pierre. This letter testifies to the desire on the part of the Vicar of Christ that the bishop-elect should receive the third and final “degree” of the sacrament of holy orders, namely, the episcopate.
Assent: After the document is read, all present give their assent to the election of the bishop by saying: “Thanks be to God.”
Nine Promises:
After the homily, the bishop-elect is asked nine questions to ascertain whether he is prepared to: 1) discharge this sacred duty until the end of his life, 2) remain “faithful and constant” in proclaiming the Holy Gospel, 3) maintain without change the “deposit of faith” that the Apostles have passed along down through the ages, 4) “build up the Church as the Body of Christ,” 5) “remain united to it within the Order of Bishops under the authority of the successor of the Apostle Peter,” 6) guide the People of God “as a devoted father,” 7) “be welcoming and merciful to the poor,” 8) “seek out the sheep who stray,” and 9) pray unceasingly for the People of God.
Litany of the Saints: The principal consecrator invites everyone to pray for the bishop-elect, who then prostrates himself while the entire congregation chants the Litany of Supplication (commonly called the Litany of the Saints).
Laying On of Hands and the Prayer of Ordination:
The principal consecrator, followed by the other bishops, lays hands upon the head of the bishop-elect. Then, the open Book of the Gospels is placed over the head of the bishop-elect by two deacons, while the principal consecrator offers the Prayer of Consecration, in part with all the consecrating bishops. The placing of the Book of the Gospels illustrates that the preaching of the Word of God is the “pre-eminent obligation of the office of the Bishop.”
Anointing and Investiture:
The Book of the Gospels is removed from above the head of the new bishop. The principal consecrator anoints the head of the new bishop with sacred chrism, hands him the Book of the Gospels, places the episcopal ring on his finger and the miter on his head, and gives him the crosier or pastoral staff – symbols of the office of bishop.
Seating of the New Bishop: The new bishop then takes the first place among the concelebrating bishops.
Kiss of Peace:
Before the Mass continues as usual with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Rite of Ordination ends with the kiss of peace from the principal consecrator and all the other bishops who are present, sealing the new bishop’s admittance into the College of Bishops.
— Adapted with permission from the Denver Catholic
Meet the bishop, then join in the ordination online or on EWTN
Bishop-elect Michael Martin, OFM Conv., will be ordained at St. Mark Church on Wednesday, May 29, and installed as the fifth Bishop of Charlotte the next day at St. Patrick Cathedral. Due to the churches’ limited size, attendance at these liturgies is by ticket only.
Both Masses will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel, plus available “on demand” afterward.
EWTN will also air the ordination Mass at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29.
Come meet Bishop-elect Martin on Tuesday, May 28, during a special “Holy Hour with Benediction: An Evening of Praise and Prayer” at 7 p.m. at St. Mark Church (14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville). Free, no ticket required.
Explore the special section
Bishop-elect Martin will ‘begin with presence’ and ‘call us beyond ourselves’
The Martin family opens up about life with a future bishop