Ordering of Priests in the Book of Common Prayer
The Ordering of Priests in the Book of Common Prayer is the rite by which deacons are ordained to the priesthood in the historic Anglican tradition. It forms part of the Ordinal attached to the Book of Common Prayer and sets forth the responsibilities of priests through exhortation, examination, prayer, and the laying on of hands. The rite presents priestly ministry as a calling to preach the Word of God, administer the sacraments, provide pastoral care, and guide the Christian community in holiness and unity.
Historical development
An English rite for the ordination of priests appeared in the Ordinal of 1550 during the reign of Edward VI. It replaced the medieval Latin services previously used in England with a vernacular form shaped by the theological and liturgical priorities of the English Reformation. A revised Ordinal was issued in 1552 and was subsequently incorporated, with further revision, into later editions of the Prayer Book.
The form associated with the 1662 Book of Common Prayer became especially influential throughout the churches that developed from the Church of England. Its full title describes it as the form and manner of ordering priests. Although later Anglican provinces have produced revised ordination liturgies, many retain the basic structure and pastoral themes of the historic rite.
The Ordinal joins the ordering of priests to the ordering of deacons and the consecration of bishops. These three forms express the traditional threefold ministry of bishop, priest, and deacon received within Anglicanism. Ordination to the priesthood normally presupposes prior ordination as a deacon rather than replacing or abolishing the diaconal character of ordained service.
Structure of the rite
The candidates are presented to the bishop, who is assured that they have been examined and found suitable. The people are given an opportunity to state any lawful impediment to their ordination. This public element emphasizes that ordination concerns the whole Church and is not solely a private transaction between a bishop and a candidate.
An exhortation then describes the dignity and weight of the priestly office. The candidates are reminded that the people entrusted to them belong to Christ and that pastoral negligence may cause serious harm. The bishop examines them concerning their sense of vocation, their confidence in Holy Scripture, their readiness to teach sound doctrine, their commitment to prayer and study, and their intention to live peaceably and obediently.
The candidates promise, with divine assistance, to undertake these duties. The congregation prays for them, and the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus invokes the grace of the Holy Spirit. The central act follows when the bishop, assisted by priests present, lays hands upon each candidate with prayer. A Bible is then delivered as a sign of authority and responsibility to preach the Word of God and administer the holy sacraments.
The ordination takes place in the setting of Holy Communion. This places the newly ordained priest’s ministry within the worship of the Church and links the office particularly with the proclamation of Scripture and the celebration of the Eucharist.
Theology of priestly ministry
The rite defines priesthood primarily through pastoral and ecclesial duties rather than through social rank. Priests are charged to serve as messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord. They are to teach, admonish, nourish, and protect the congregation committed to their care. Scripture is treated as the governing source for doctrine, while prayer and disciplined study are presented as essential habits of ministry.
Sacramental responsibility is also central. The priest is ordained to minister Baptism and Holy Communion according to the order of the Church. This authority is exercised under episcopal oversight and within the common worship of the Christian community. The participation of the bishop, other priests, candidates, and congregation therefore displays an ordered and corporate understanding of ministry.
The examination also connects public ministry with personal conduct. Candidates promise to shape their lives and households according to Christian teaching and to encourage peace among those in their care. The rite consequently portrays priestly character, doctrine, worship, and pastoral responsibility as inseparable aspects of one vocation.
Continuing influence
The historic ordering of priests has provided a foundation for ordination rites across the Anglican Communion. Modern forms often use contemporary language and may expand references to mission, shared ministry, and the pastoral needs of society. Nevertheless, presentation, examination, invocation of the Holy Spirit, laying on of hands, and celebration of the Eucharist remain characteristic features. The Prayer Book rite continues to inform Anglican reflection on ordained ministry, apostolic order, and the relationship between Scripture, sacrament, and pastoral care.