ORDINATION OF DEACON (Monistic, Affirmative, Free Catholic Church , ( International) *** 172

 

Deacon, Priest and Bishop are the the greater Orders of the Church. They get a special link to our Lord

Jesus Christ and get through the Holy Spirit the right to draw spiritual force from a heavenly reservoir. The deacon is practically a kind of apprentice or assistant Priest. Subdeacon is a preparatory Order

 

 

 

(The BISHOP celebrates the Holy Eucharist with the following special Collect and Epistle)

The ordination of Deacon take place after the Epistle and before the Gradual

THE COLLECT of the day and other collects may follow after this one

B: Let us pray in the name of God. Almighty, everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is made holy and governed. You pour forth thy sanctifying grace into the hearts of these thy servants, who are about to be numbered among the Deacons of thy Church, that with pure heart and open mind they may faithfully receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, through Christ our Lord. C Amen

THE EPISTLE is taken from the Epistle to the Ephesians 4. 7

BUT unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine; but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, who is the head, even Christ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (This is the Epistle )

The Epistle being ended, the Bishop takes his seat upon a faldstool before the altar. Ordinands come

forward bearing lighted candles, and a Priest appointed for the purpose presents them to the bishop P: Dear Bishop, our holy mother the Free Catholic Church prays that you would ordain this Subdeacon

( these Subdeacons) here present to the charge of the priesthood

Bishop; Knowest thou them to be worthy of this office?

P: As far as human frailty allows me to judge I do both know and attest that they are worthy of this office

B Thanks be to God

(The ordinands are seated. The Bishops says:)

B Dearly beloved brethren and sisters: these Sub- deacons here before you are presented for the Order of the Diaconate, to be irrevocably set apart for the service of Christ by the gift of Godīs most holy Spirit. Mindful of the sacred trust reposed in us, we have sought to ensure that only such as may be profitable

To Christ's holy Church be thus presented, yet for further precaution it is seemly that we should inquire if any know cause or just impediment why these persons should not be admitted to the exercise of deacon's office If, then, any of you one has aught to the prejudice of these men, in the name of God and for the benefit of Church , let him boldly come forward and speak; howbeit, let him be mindful of his own estate

((( After a pause, the bishop, addressing himself to the ordinands, charges them (e.g.) as follows ))))

Dearly beloved sons (and, or, daughters) who are now about to be raised to the Order of Diaconate

Do you endeavour to receive it worthily, and blamelessly to fulfil its duties wen you have received it. It appertains to the deacon to minister at the altar, to read or intone the Gospel, to preach, and in the absence of the Priest to baptise. Wherefore, dearly beloved sons and daughters as now you are charged

to minister to the flock of Christ be you raised above the all unworthy propensities which war against the soul; be seemly, courteous in demeanour, and full of noble desires and of love for God and all souls, as benefits the ministers of Christ and stewards charged to dispense the mysteries of God. And as you now have a share in offering and dispensing the Body and Blood of the Lord, as Holy Writ has it : "Be ye clean ye that bear the vessels of the Lord". Be it your care to set forth to others, by living deeds, the gospel your lips will proclaim to them, that of you it may be said: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace

, The ordinands rise

B: Will you then strive to use worthy the powers entrusted to you?

Ordinands Yes I will

B The Lord keep you in all these things, beloved sons ( daughters) and strengthen you in all goodness. C Amen (B rises and addresses the congregation: )

B: Let us contemplate, that almighty God, in his great loving-kindness and watchful care over his Church, bestows grace on these Sub-Deacons now about to be raised to the order of the Diaconate

LITANY is singed by all ( Three marked verses are singed by the bishop alone) C may kneel

 

LITANY (Ordinands lie prostrate. Congregation may kneel)

1/ IS GOD ONE AND TRANSCENDENT ?

Is GOD in all immanent ?

Is God coming in advent ?

Some ask… Church does answer "YES":

2/ "FATHER" GOD : - ETERNAL ONE

GODīS "SON" is in everyone

SPIRIT comes now "clothed in sun" (Rev 12.1 )

Named by Christ our "HEAVEN-MOTHER (Hebrew gospel)

3/ MORNING-STARS IN ALL STILL SING (Job 38.7

Nature-angels dance in ring

with each heaven-Queen and -King

shouting for creation's joy

4/ PILGRIMS HERE IN TIME AND SPACE

do now seek Godīs hidden face

in star, gras, bird, human race

and in angels within all

5/ GOD TOLD US BEFORE CREATION ( Eph 1 5)

Pilgrimage means incarnation

Heavenīs transsubstantiation God, your children bless thee+

6/ PILGRIMS QUIT SLAVE-LIFE, flesh-pot (Exodus 16 3)

seek in east some freedom's lot

paradise, a Cam( e)lot / God your children bless Thee +

7/ WE CROSS RED SEA, PASSION'S WAVES

will not be desire's slaves

leave the past as in its graves / God your children bless Thee +

8/ PILGRIMS REACH MIND'S "SINAI DESERT" (Exodus 19 1)

are by "serpents" often much hurt

are converted by Godīs prophet / God your children bless Thee +

9/ VISION- "SPIES" COME BACK FROM "EAST" (Numbers 13.1)

Do all like them? Not the least (Number 14 )

We thank "spies", some headman, priest …/. God, some children bless Thee +

10/ STAR FROM EAST SAYS NOW ADVENT -

God has child from heaven sent

Angels, shepherds, kings here went / God your children bless Thee+

11/ RIVER COMES FROM HOLY GHOST (Matt 13 16)

with Godīs voice, dove angel host

But the world is still heard most /God, some children bless Thee +

12/ ON THE HOLY MOUNT MEET PROPHET (Matt 17 1)

"cloud, transfiguration, sunlit"

We get Gnosis, see some secret / God, your children bless Thee +

13/ EUCHARIST AND CRUCIFIXION (Matt 26. 26)

Bring the mystic benediction

Spirit-Self gets resurrection / God, your children bless Thee +

(The three verses which follow are sung by the bishop alone)

14 TRINITY YOU HEAR OUR PRAYER

YOU BLESS + SERVANT(S) PROSTRATE THERE

 

HOLDING THEM (HIM, HER) IN LOVING CARE

GOD , YOUR CHILDREN BLESS THEE +

15 GOD, YOU HEAR WHEN WE PRAY

YOU HELP CHOSEN SOULS TO- DAY

YOU BLESS + HALLOW + THEM (HIM HER) FOR AYE

GOD, YOUR CHILDREN BLESS THEE +

16 YOU POOR LOVINGKINDNESS GREAT

ON EACH CHOSEN CANDIDATE

YOU + BLESS, + HALLOW, + CONSECRATE

GOD YOUR CHILDREN BLESS THEE +

(The following verse is sung by all)

17 FATHER GOD ETERNAL ONE

GODīS SON is in everyone

SPIRIT comes here " clothed in sun" (Rev 12 1)

Named by Christ our HEAVEN- MOTHER (Hebrew Gospel)

( The people are seated.)

 

(Ordination of deacons continued. ) The people are seated after the Litany

 

(The Bishop rises and with hands extended towards the ordinands, who kneel before him, prays:)

B: O, Lord Christ, the fountain of all goodness, by the operation of the Holy Spirit do you appoint divers orders in thy Church and for the greater enrichment and perfection do you shed thy gifts abundantly upon men.

You pour forth thy sanctifying grace upon these thy servants, who are about to be numbered ,

, (All kneel while the *Veni Crater is sung)

VENI CREATOR

1

Eternal Spirit - Self in all

Creates here space-time, body, soul.

Divinity beyond , does call:

"Perfect in love your Shepherd Role!"

2

"You are all Gods", does Jesus say.

"You are of heavens Light a ray.

You came from highest heaven down.

Now clothed in earthly shepherd gown".

3

Take shepherd-staff and priest-king-rod, deacons rod?????

Teach "lamb and wolf" to serve true God

Find water, wisdom, gnosis-scriptures

Agape-love in Godīs green pastures

4

We are as Winds from highest Heaven

With Spirits hidden gifts, the seven

Creating here with Godīs own Word

The perfect incarnated herd

5

Godīs River is eternal art,

It flows through body, mind and heart,

It makes us all " in spirit poor"

Godīs Kingdom waits for all those pure.

6

Godīs fire- tongues will come down,

Give saints from heaven Spirit- crown,

And open in us Spirit- eye

We see then God in man and sky

7

Return from shepherd's pilgrim-path

You find eternal spirit-hearth

Beyond the space-time, body, soul

Beyond horizons is the Goal

Amen

B (The bishop rises and again imposes his hands upon the head of each Ordinand, saying to each)

B: RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST

,for the office and work of a Deacon in The Church of God

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bishop with his hands extended towards the ordinands, continues ) (Ordination of deacons, )

( Bishop): O GOD, the Holy Ghost, who hast deigned to descend upon these thy servants in spirit and in power , strengthen them with thy sevenfold might for the faithful performance of this ministry

May that power ever flow forth in their actions and kindle their speech; may they be resolute and steadfast in the service of their brethren , so that, having always the witness of a good conscience, they may continue strong and stable in Christ, pillars in the temple of our god, Thou who with the father and the son livest and reignest, God throughout all ages of ages… C: Amen ,

( The bishop is seated and, and vests each new deacon with a white stole, which is placed over the left should and fastened under the right arm. He makes the sign of the cross over the heart of each new 'deacon , as he says )

B: TAKE THOU THE WHITE STOLE + for a symbol of thine office, remembering that as for the

service and love of man thou dost exercise the power which now is in thee., so will it flow through thee in ever greater fullness and glory

(The Bishop vests each new Deacon with the dalmatic , saying

B: The Lord clothe thee with the vesture of gladness and ever encompass thee with the dalmatic of justice.

In the Name of the + Father and of the + Son and of the Holy + Ghost C Amen

,

(The bishop delivers to each new deacon the 'book of the 'gospels saying

B: Take thou authority to read the gospel in the Church of God, both for the living and the dead. In the Name of the + Father and of the + Son and of the Holy +Ghost C Amen

( B rises and blesses them in this wise)

B: O Christ, the Lord of Love, who, by the heavenly and earthly service of angels, which Thou orderest, dost shed over all the elements the efficacy of thy will. You pour out on these Thy servants of the fullness of Thy + blessing, that in the fellowship of those glorious angels they may minister worthily at Thy holy altars, and being endowed with heavenly virtue and grace they may ever be watchful and zealous in the service of Thy Church, Thou who reignest for ever and ever. C Amen

(One of the newly ordained deacons, vested in dalmatic, reads the Gospel)

THE GOSPEL is taken from St Luke 15. 3

AND HE spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them: Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance

(The Holy Eucharist is then continued to its close

IN THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION can the following clause be inserted after the words

"for all our bishops, clergy and faithful

Especially for them whom in Christ's holy Name we have admitted to the Order of the Diaconate