Christian ordination as a guest

01 What kind of service this is

A Christian ordination is the public commissioning of the candidate for ordained ministry. The service is celebrated within a Eucharist or worship service: at the diocesan cathedral for Catholic and Anglican ordinations; at the bishop's cathedral or a designated parish for Orthodox; at a judicatory venue (annual conference site, synod assembly, presbytery meeting) for Mainline Protestant; at the candidate's home church for SBC ordinations and most evangelical commissioning services.

An ordination is normally a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for the family and friends of the ordinand. Guests are present as family, friends, fellow ministers, and members of the gathered church.

02 Attire

Church-formal across all traditions. A suit and tie for men; a dress, skirt, or formal trousers for women. Catholic and Orthodox services have somewhat more formal expectations; Mainline Protestant and evangelical services follow the host congregation's customary formality. The ordinand or the host can confirm any specific expectations.

03 At the service

Guests typically arrive 30 minutes before the start at a cathedral service (parking and seating fill quickly); 15 to 20 minutes at a local church or judicatory venue. Seating may be assigned for immediate family (often in the front pews); other guests sit in open seating behind the family.

The ordination rite is incorporated into the Eucharist or worship service. The structure varies by tradition: in Catholic and Anglican Eucharists, the ordination follows the homily and precedes the Liturgy of the Eucharist; in Mainline Protestant services, the ordination is normally the central liturgical action of the service; in evangelical services, the ordination follows the sermon. Guests stand, sit, and (in Catholic and Anglican services) kneel along with the congregation.

For Catholic and Anglican Eucharists, communion follows the ordination. Non-Catholic guests at a Catholic Mass are not invited to receive (the standard Catholic rule applies); Anglican parishes are typically open communion for baptized Christians.

04 Gifts

Ministerial gifts are conventional across the traditions: a chalice (especially for Catholic priests; the chalice is part of the rite of priestly ordination), a stole, vestments, a study Bible, ministry library books, a cross or pectoral cross for bishops, a piece of religious art for the rectory or office. Cash or a check from godparents and close family is also common.

Many Catholic families gift the newly ordained priest his chalice. This is a deeply traditional gift; if the family is in a position to commission a chalice, the ordinand will often have preferences about style.

05 The first blessing

In Catholic and Orthodox tradition, the newly ordained priest gives a "first blessing" to family members, close friends, and any present clergy after the ordination Mass. The first blessing has traditional spiritual significance; some Catholic traditions hold that a first blessing brings particular grace.

The newly ordained typically blesses each person individually, often with the laying on of hands. Where this is part of the service or reception, family members are normally given priority. Non-Catholic guests are welcome to receive a first blessing if the newly ordained offers one; the gesture is a personal blessing rather than a sacramental one in this case, and is appropriate across traditions.

06 The reception

A reception typically follows the ordination, hosted by the cathedral, the judicatory body, or the local church. The reception is the principal moment for offering congratulations to the newly ordained and meeting family and other clergy. Family meals and gatherings often continue into the evening; the newly ordained is typically the guest of honor.

07 Common questions