Episcopal Consecration of the Most Reverend Bishop Michael Mary, FSSR

To Thee O God, who, in the secret communings of familiar intercourse, giving instruction unto Moses Thy servant, concerning, among other branches of divine worship, the nature of sacerdotal vesture, didst order that Aaron, Thy chosen one, should be clad in mystic robes during the sacred functions, so that succeeding generations might be enlightened by the examples of their predecessors, lest the knowledge derived from Thy instruction should be wanting in any age.

For the adonment of our minds fulfils what was expressed by the outward vestures of that ancient priesthood, and now brightness of souls rather than splendor of raiment commends the pontifical glory unto us.

Fill up in Thy priest the perfection of Thy ministry and sanctify with the dew of Thy heavenly ointment this Thy servant decked out with the ornaments of all beauty.

May constant faith, pure love, sincere piety abound in him.

Grant him, O Lord, the ministry of reconciliation in word and in deed, in the power of signs and of wonders.

Give to him, O Lord, the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, so that he may make use of, not boast of the power which Thou bestowest unto edification, not unto destruction.

Whose sins he shall retain, let them be retained, and do Thou remit the sins of whomsoever he shall remit.

Let him be the faithful and prudent servant whom Thou dost set, O Lord, over Thy household, so that he may give them food in due season, and prove himself a perfect man.

May he be untiring in his sollicitude, fervent in spirit.

Let him not put light for darkness, nor darkness for light: let him not call evil good, nor good evil.

Grant him, O Lord, an episcopal chair for ruling Thy Church and the people committed to him.

Multiply upon him Thy blessings and Thy grace, so that by Thy gift he may be fitted for always obtaining Thy mercy, and by Thy grace may be faithful.

Ad multos annos!

The text of the commentary is taken from the consecratory preface for the consecration of a Bishop.

It is truly worthy and just, right and profitable unto salvation that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, honor of all dignities which serve unto Thy glory in sacred orders.

Since, indeed, with the ancients, the very appearance of symbols would obtain reverence, and with us there would be the experience of the things themselves more certain than the mysteries of figures.

Because even those things which then were sightly unto the eyes of the flesh, demanded rather that the eyes of the spirit should understand the things they signified. And therefore we beseech Thee, O Lord, give bountifully this grace to this Thy servant, whom Thou hast chosen to the ministry of the supreme priesthood, so that what thing soever those vestments signify by the refulgence of gold, the splendor of jewels, and the variety of diversified works, they may shine forth in his character and in his actions.

May this, O Lord, flow abundantly upon his head, may this run down upon his cheeks, may this extend unto the extremities of his whole body, so that inwardly he may be filled with the power of Thy spirit, and outwardly may be clothed with that same spirit.

May his feet, by Thy gift, be beautiful for announcing the glad tidings of peace, for announcing the glad tidings of Thy good things.

Let his speech and his preaching be not in the persuasive words of human wisdom but in the showing of the spirit and of power.

Whatsoever he shall bind upon earth, let it be bound likewise in Heaven, and whatsoever he shall loose upon earth, let it likewise be loosed in Heaven.

Let him who shall curse him, himself be accursed, and let him who shall bless him, be filled with blessings.

May he detest pride, and cherish humility and truth, and never desert it, overcome either by flattery or by fear.

May he be a debtor to the wise and to the foolish, so that he may gather fruit from the progress of all.

Be his authority, be his power, be his strenght.

Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth in the unity of one God, world without end. Amen.