Recently I had the pleasure of attending the ordination of the Rev'd Tracy Smith to the sacred order of priests in the APA. The beautiful liturgy was held at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Delray Beach, Florida. You can see pictures on their website. This was the first time I have participated in the "holy huddle", or "laying on of hands", where all the priests present join the bishop in laying hands on the ordinand.
Priests ordained in the APA are of course ordained using the ordinal from 1928 BCP. In addition to what is in the ordinal, the following is added by the bishop:
As the stole is turned priest-wise, the bishop says:
"Take thou the yoke of the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light."
As the priest is vested in the chasuble, the bishop says:
"Receive this preistly garment which symbolizes charity; for God is well able to give thee an increase of charity and a perfect work."
As the priests hands are annointed and wrapped, and the instruments are presented, the bishop says:
"Take thou authority to offer sacrifice to God, and to celebrate Mass for both the quick and the dead. In the Name of the Lord."
I believe all of this comes originally from the old Sarum pontifical, and was adapted for modern use in the Anglican Service Book. It goes without saying, that excluding these elements from an ordination in no way invalidates the rite, or makes that person less of a catholic priest. Still, I am glad that we have this custom in the APA, as it does away with any misconceptions about what is going on at an ordination.
