Ordinations 2008 (Part Two)

fr Bruno promises obedience to his Ordinary, placing his hands between those of Cardinal O’Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is conferred upon the one to be ordained by the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination. The Archbishop lays his hands, in silence, on fr Bruno, and each of the priests present does likewise.

The Archbishop anoints the hands of the newly-ordained priest as a symbol of the anointing of the Holy Spirit which took place through the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination. The anointing also symbolises the priest’s distinctive participation in Christ’s priesthood by the sacrifice he will offer with his hands.

The bread and wine are a sign of the priest’s duty to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Archbishop says: “Accept from the holy people of God the gifts to be offered to him. Know what you are doing, and imitate the mystery you celebrate: model your life on the mystery of the Lord’s cross.”

After Mass, fr Bruno gives his first blessing to his mother as his father looks on.

fr Bruno gives his blessing to the prior of Leicester, fr Leon Pereira OP. Traditionally, one receives a first blessing by kneeling in front of the priest, and then kissing the newly-anointed palms of the priest.

Please keep fr Bruno Clifton OP in your prayers.