Author Topic: Do the words have to be said by bishop at priest ordination? (Read 629 times)

PartyIsOver221 · « **on:** November 14, 2011, 04:33:47 AM »

OK, so the thread of the title asks the question at hand.

Just as I would "assume" that a priest must say the words of consecration at the Mass in order to confect the Sacrament of the Eucharist (we can't peer into his head and hope he is making the intention) since it is a public prayer.... is the ordination of a priest valid when the bishop "says the prayer in his head" while laying hands on the to-be priest or must be as well say the words of ordination out loud?

That is all, thank you. I'm asking this because I heard someone say it recently and it struck me as error.

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:54:22 PM »

Though I'm not a theologian...looking at the Old Rite of Ordination, it appears that the Bishop must say the prayers out loud in order for the ordination to be valid.

RomanCatholic1953 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2011, 09:52:32 PM »

Here is one of my vintage photos. I hope that I do not offend anyone.

This is the Ordination Class of 1949 at Our Lady of the Lakes Seminary in
Mundelein, Illinois.

The Bishop is Cardinal Samuel Stritch, the 4th Archbishop of Chicago.

The last time I was there, the chapel looks about the same.

PartyIsOver221 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2011, 04:00:48 AM »

Thank you SpiritusSanctus, that's what I thought. Due to the fact that it is a public prayer/event, words must be said out loud. No one is "privately" ordaining priests in their rooms. It is an event involving multiple people, so it is a public prayer. Maybe not the best logic, but it does make sense.

RC1953, marvelous photo. It is HUGE, and I like the angel statues standing guard in the back of the pews. Very powerful.