We continue our series on the ancient ordination prayers of the Roman Rite with those for the diaconate; the first article in this series gives an explanation of the oldest source in which they are attested, the so-called Leonine Sacramentary. In this manuscript, the prayers for diaconal ordinations are placed immediately after those of the episcopal ordination rite (numbers 948-51 in Mohlberg’s critical edition). Under the header “Benedictio super diaconos – the blessing upon deacons”, there are four orations, but no rubrics that accompany them to indicate the ceremonies with which they were said. Unlikely the episcopal ordination, they are not accompanied by a Mass formula. Domine Deus, praeces nostras clementer exaudi: ut quae nostro sunt gerenda seruitio, tuo prosequaris benignus auxilio; et quos sacris ministeriis exsequendis pro nostra intellegentia credimus offerendos, tua potius electione iustifices. – Lord God, mercifully hear our prayers, that Thou may kindly attend with Thy aid to the things which will (or ‘must’) be done by our service; and those whom we believe should be presented (lit. ‘offered’) in accord with our understanding (i.e., of their character) for the performace of sacred ministries, may Thou justify all the more by Thy election.
New Liturgical Movement: The Most Ancient Roman Prayers of Diaconal Ordination
New Liturgical Movement: The Most Ancient Roman Prayers of Diaconal Ordination
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