Old Holy Roman Church of the English Rite: Document Archives

The following oaths and petitions are required, in the form as given, for candidates for Holy Orders, by the bull Sacerdotes Matrimonio Coniuncti, in addition to the Clerical Oath and Oath Against Modernism. These must both be taken in writing and in the prescribed ceremony before the ordaining Bishop.

The Petition and Oath of an Unmarried Postulant for the Priesthood

I, N., being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous intent and beseech consent of Your Grace (or else, for the Archfather, Your Holiness and Eminence) to be ordained to the Holy Order of Presbyter in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief after due discernment that I am called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I earnestly desire to receive this Sacrament. The evidence of my calling I have laid before Your Grace (or Your Holiness and Eminence), and I solemnly pray that my calling shall be confirmed by those in Christ's Church appointed to test and examine it.

I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders constitute the highest obligation of a man. I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders at the level of the Diaconate and above constitute an indelible mark on the soul, and that the Priesthood of Christ particularly is a marriage between the Priest and the Bride of Christ, the Holy Church.

Furthermore, I do solemnly promise that I shall not, from the moment of my ordination as a Presbyter onward, contract Holy Matrimony or attempt to do so. I understand that if I do so, I will incur the penalty of deposition and reduction to the lay state, and of excommunication from Christ's Church.

Therefore, I beseech Your Grace (or Your Holiness) to permit me to be ordained in accordance with Canon Law and the Rites of the Church to the Holy Priesthood of Christ, so help me God.

The Petition and Oath of a Married Postulant for the Priesthood

I, N., being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous intent and beseech consent of Your Grace (or else, for the Archfather, Your Holiness and Eminence) to be ordained to the Holy Order of Presbyter in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief after due discernment that I am called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I earnestly desire to receive this Sacrament. The evidence of my calling I have laid before Your Grace (or Your Holiness and Eminence), and I solemnly pray that my calling shall be confirmed by those in Christ's Church appointed to test and examine it.

Furthermore, I do solemnly promise that, should my marriage to my wife end, I shall not, from the moment of my ordination as a Presbyter onward further contract Holy Matrimony or attempt to do so. I understand that if I do so, I will incur the penalty of deposition and reduction to the lay state, and of excommunication from Christ's Church.

Therefore, I beseech Your Grace (or Your Holiness) to permit me to be ordained in accordance with Canon Law and the Rites of the Church to the Holy Priesthood of Christ, so help me God.

The Petition and Oath of a Postulant for the Diaconate

I, N., being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous intent and beseech consent of Your Grace (or else, for the Archfather, Your Holiness) to be ordained to the Holy Order of Deacons in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief after due discernment that I am called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I earnestly desire to receive this Sacrament. The evidence of my calling I have laid before Your Grace (or Your Holiness and Eminence), and I solemnly pray that my calling shall be confirmed by those in Christ's Church appointed to test and examine it.

Therefore, I beseech Your Grace (or Your Holiness) to permit me to be ordained in accordance with Canon Law and the Rites of the Church to the Holy Order of Deacons, so help me God.

The Petition and Oath of a Postulant for the Clerical State

I, N., being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous intent and beseech consent of Your Grace (or else, for the Archfather, Your Holiness and Eminence) to be entered into the Clerical State by receipt of First Tonsure in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief after due discernment that I am called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I earnestly desire to enter this State, forsaking the world and serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in all things and above all things. The evidence of my calling I have laid before Your Grace (or Your Holiness and Eminence), and I solemnly pray that my calling shall be confirmed by those in Christ's Church appointed to test and examine it.

I believe, affirm, and understand that Holy Orders constitute the highest obligation of a man. I accept the entirety of the responsibilities and obligations of the clerical state and solemnly pledge my complete loyalty, support, and obedience to Christ's Holy Church and this Patriarchate. Furthermore, I promise that, from the moment of my entry into the clerical state onward, unless I be validly released from that state, that I will not contract Holy Matrimony without canonical permission of my religious superiors; and that if I do illicitly contract Holy Matrimony, I will forthwith be reduced to the lay state and incur the penalty of excommunication.

Therefore, I beseech Your Grace (or Your Holiness) to permit me to be admitted in accordance with Canon Law and the Rites of the Church to the clerical state, so help me God.

The Petition and Oath of a Postulant for the Minor Orders, excepting the Sub-Diaconate

I, N., being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous intent and beseech consent of Your Grace (or else, for the Archfather, Your Holiness and Eminence) to be ordained to the Holy Order of Porter (or Lector or Acolyte or Exorcist or Acolyte) in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of this autocephalous Patriarchate, the Patriarchal See of Saint Stephen, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief after due discernment that I am called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I earnestly desire to receive this Sacrament. The evidence of my calling I have laid before Your Grace (or Your Holiness), and I solemnly pray that my calling shall be confirmed by those in Christ's Church appointed to test and examine it.

Therefore, I beseech Your Grace (or Your Holiness) to permit me to be ordained in accordance with Canon Law and the Rites of the Church to the Holy Order of Porter (or Lector or Exorcist or Acolyte), so help me God.

The Petition and Oath of a Postulant for the Sub-Diaconate

I, N., being of sound mind, do by these presents express my unambiguous intent and beseech consent of Your Grace (or else, for the Archfather, Your Holiness and Eminence) to be ordained to the Holy Order of Sub-Deacons in unbroken Apostolic Succession from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, under the authority of the Coadjutorship of Rome, the Anglican Patriarchate, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is my belief after due discernment that I am called by God to this Sacred Ministry, and I earnestly desire to receive this Sacrament. The evidence of my calling I have laid before Your Grace (or Your Holiness and Eminence), and I solemnly pray that my calling shall be confirmed by those in Christ's Church appointed to test and examine it.

I re-affirm my commitment to service in Christ's Holy Church. In attestation of this, I humbly prostrate myself before the Altar of God at which I now seek to serve.

Therefore, I beseech Your Grace (or Your Holiness) to permit me to be ordained in accordance with Canon Law and the Rites of the Church to the Holy Order of Sub-Deacons, so help me God.

Oaths and Petitions for Candidates for Holy Orders