My First Ordinations
As the Bishop of Mahajanga
RECEIVE the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a Priest in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands. Whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained. And be thou a faithful dispenser of the Word of God, and of his holy Sacraments; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
RAISO ny Fanahy Masina atolotra anao ankehitriny amin’ny fametrahanay tànana. Izay hanaovanao ny raharahan’ny Presbytera sy ny fanompoany eo amin’ny Eklesian’Andriamanitra. Na helok’iza na helok’iza no avelanao dia ho voavela izany; ary na an’iza na an’iza no tsy avelanao, dia tsy ho voavela izany. Ary aoka hianao mahatoky amin’ny fanolorana ny tenin’Andriamanitra sy ny Sakramentany masina: Amin’ny Anaran’ny Ray sy ny Zanaka ary ny Fanahy Masina. Amena
These are the words of consecration at the ordination of a priest. They were the very words prayed over me by my Right Reverend Father in God – Donald Harvey. These are the same words (albeit in Malagasy) which I will pray, for the first time, on Ascension Day when I ordain three new priests. I am finding myself quite moved as I prepare – I am reminded that the validity of the Sacraments is not, (THANKFULLY) in the worthiness of ministers – for I don’t think I could feel more unworthy for the task.
I believe that God has given us the three orders of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons for the very purpose of His saving the world – so that the faithful would know that they are blessed and absolved. This is both very serious and very joyous! I ask your prayers for the three young deacons who will be ordained priests and for their families. I ask your prayers for me, that I will not mess up the Malagasy too much. I ask your prayers that the Holy Spirit will do as we ask, to make these men priests in the Church. The Church needs a new generation of strong young men to lead in evangelism, catechesis, and to administer the Sacraments.
Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
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