Solemnity of
St Michael & All Angels,
the Patronal Feast
of Belmont Abbey, Hereford
Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood
of
Dom Augustine Primavesi
At the hands of
The Right Reverend Mark Jabalé OSB
Bishop Emeritus of Menevia
29th September 2020
Introit:
Message from Dom Augustine It goes without saying that this ordination is almost completely different to how I had envisaged it would be even a few months ago . The Covid-19 pandemic is still drastically impacting upon our lives with no certain end date it sight. Yet I thank God that this day has finally come and that modern technology allows us the possibility to share this day with all those who sadly cannot be here physically due to the current restrictions. It must be Divine providence that Bishop Mark returned to Belmont in July so this ordination could be ‘in-house’ and thus reducing the need for face coverings to be worn for most of the ceremony. On this most special of days, please continue to keep me in your prayers and, of course, be assured of mine.
THE INTRODUCTORY RITES All make the Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. Bishop Mark: Peace be with you. The people reply:
And with your spirit. Introductory remarks by Bishop Mark. Penitential Act Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
Gloria: XII Pater Cunta
Kyrie: XII Pater Cunta
Collect:
O God, who dispose in marvellous order ministries both angelic and human, graciously grant that our life on earth may be defended by those who watch over us as they minister perpetually to you in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading (Margaret Primavesi) Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
His robe was white as snow
A reading from the prophet Daniel
As I watched:
Thrones were set in place
and one of great age took his seat.
His robe was white as snow,
the hair of his head as pure as wool.
His throne was a blaze of flames,
its wheels were a burning fire.
A stream of fire poured out,
issuing from his presence.
A thousand thousand waited on him,
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
A court was held
and the books were opened.
I gazed into the visions of the night.
And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven,
one like a son of man.
He came to the one of great age
and was led into his presence.
On him was conferred sovereignty,
glory and kingship,
and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty
which shall never pass away,
nor will his empire ever be destroyed.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (Giulia Primavesi) Psalm 137(138):1-5
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple. I thank you for your faithfulness and love which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul. All earth's kings shall thank you when they hear the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the Lord's ways: “How great is the glory of the Lord!”
Second Reading (Dominic Primavesi) Apocalypse 12:7-12
Michael with his angels attacked the dragon
A reading from the book of the Apocalypse
Now war broke out in heaven, when Michael with his angels attacked
the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were
defeated and driven out of heaven. The great dragon, the primeval
serpent, known as the devil or Satan, who had deceived all the world,
was hurled down to the earth and his angels were hurled down with
him. Then I heard a voice shout from heaven, ‘Victory and power and
empire for ever have been won by our God, and all authority for his
Christ, now that the persecutor, who accused our brothers day and
night before our God, has been brought down. They have triumphed
over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the witness of their
martyrdom, because even in the face of death they would not cling to
life. Let the heavens rejoice and all who live there.’
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL John 1:47-51
You will see heaven laid open, and the Son of Man
The Lord be with you.
And with your Spirit.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John
Glory to you O Lord.
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an
Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you
know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus
Gospel Acclamation
ORDINATION OF DOM AUGUSTINE
Calling of the candidate
Deacon: Let Dom Augustine who is to be ordained priest please come forward.
Dom Augustine: Present.
Presentation of the candidate
Abbot Paul: Most Reverend Father, holy mother Church asks you to
ordain this man, our brother, for service as priest.
Bishop Mark: Do you judge him to be worthy?
Abbot Paul: After inquiry among the people of Christ and upon
recommendation of those concerned with his training,
I testify that he has been found worthy.
Election by the bishop and consent of the people
Bishop Mark: We rely on the help of the Lord God and our Saviour
Jesus Christ, and we choose this man, our brother, for priesthood
in the presbyteral order.
All: Thanks be to God.
HOMILY
‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the
Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe
that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see
greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly,
you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of
God ascending and descending.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
EXAMINATION OF THE CANDIDATE
Dom Augustine stands before the bishop who questions him.
Bishop Mark: My son, before you proceed to the order of the
presbyterate, declare before the people your intention to undertake
this priestly office.
Are you resolved, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to discharge
without fail the office of priesthood in the presbyteral order as a
conscientious fellow worker with the bishops in caring for the
Lord's flock?
Dom Augustine: I am.
Bishop Mark: Are you resolved to celebrate the mysteries of Christ
faithfully and religiously as the Church has handed them down to
us for the glory of God and the sanctification of Christ's people?
Dom Augustine: I am.
Bishop Mark: Are you resolved to exercise the ministry of the word
worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and explaining the
Catholic faith?
Dom Augustine: I am.
Bishop Mark: Are you resolved to consecrate your life to God for the
salvation of his people, and to unite yourself more closely every
day to Christ the High Priest, who offered himself for us to the
Father as a perfect sacrifice?
Dom Augustine: I am, with the help of God.
PROMISE OF OBEDIENCE
Bishop Mark: Do you promise respect and obedience to your Ordinary,
the Abbot of Belmont and his successors?
Dom Augustine: I do.
Bishop Mark: May God who has begun the good work in you bring it
to fulfilment.
INVITATION TO PRAYER
All stand, Bishop Marks invites the people to pray:
My dear people, let us pray that the all-powerful Father may pour
out the gifts of heaven on this servant of his, whom he has chosen
to be a priest
Deacon: Let us kneel.
THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS
Dom Augustine lies prostrate in front of the Altar as a sign of his total
offering of himself to God.
Sancte Ioánnes Baptísta ora pro nobis Sancti Ioáchim et Anna oráte pro nobis Sancte Ioseph ora pro nobis Sancti Petre and Paule oráte pro nobis Sancte Andréa ora pro nobis Sancte Ioánnes ora pro nobis Sancte Matthǽe ora pro nobis Sancte Luca ora pro nobis
Sancte Marce ora pro nobis Sancta María Magdaléna ora pro nobis Omnes sancti Apóstoli et Discípuli Dómini oráte pro nobis Sancte Stéphane ora pro nobis Sancte Ignáti Antiochéne ora pro nobis Sancte Laurénti ora pro nobis Sanctæ Perpétua et Felícitas oráte pro nobis Sancta Agnes ora pro nobis Sancte Albane ora pro nobis Sancte Ethelbérti ora pro nobis Sancti Ioánnes (Fisher) et Thoma (More) oráte pro nobis Sancte Ioánnes Kemble ora pro nobis Sancte David Lewis ora pro nobis Omnes sancti Mártyres oráte pro nobis Sancte Leo ora pro nobis Sancte Basíli ora pro nobis Sancte Martíne ora pro nobis Sancte Augustíne ora pro nobis Sancte Hierónyme ora pro nobis Sancte Athanási ora pro nobis Sancte Patríci ora pro nobis Sancte Dubríci ora pro nobis Sancte David ora pro nobis Sancte Gregóri ora pro nobis Sancte Augustíne Cantuarénsis ora pro nobis Sancte Aidáne ora pro nobis Sancte Cuthbérte ora pro nobis Sancte Ansélme ora pro nobis Sancte Thoma Herefordénsis ora pro nobis Sancte Pie Decime ora pro nobis Sancte Antóni ora pro nobis Sancte Pachómi ora pro nobis Sancte Pater Benedícte ora pro nobis Sancta Scholástica ora pro nobis Sancti Maure et Plácide oráte pro nobis Sancte Benedícte Biscop ora pro nobis Sancte Guthláce ora pro nobis Sancte Beda ora pro nobis Sancte Bernárde ora pro nobis Sancti Francísce et Domínice oráte pro nobis Sancte Thoma de Aquino ora pro nobis
Sancte Francísce Xavier ora pro nobis Sancte Ioánnes a Cruce ora pro nobis Sancte Ioánnes María Vianney ora pro nobis Sancte Ioánnes Henríce Newman ora pro nobis Sancta Catharína Senénsis ora pro nobis Sancta Terésia de Avila ora pro nobis Sancta Terésia de Lisieux ora pro nobis Omnes Sancti et Sanctæ Dei oráte pro nobis
Ab Omni malo líbera nos, Domine Ab omni peccáto líbera nos, Domine A Morte perpétua líbera nos, Domine Per incarnatiónem tuam líbera nos, Domine Per mortem et resurrectiónem tuam líbera nos, Domine Per effusiónem Spíritus Sancti líbera nos, Domine
Ut Ecclésiae vitam famulórum tuórum oblatióne uberiórum praestáre dignéris te rogámus, audi nos
Ut in fámulo tuo Papa nostro Francísco ceterísque Epíscopis, Sancti Spíritus dona in dies ad augere dignéris te rogámus audi nos
Ut in omnibus famíliis tibi dicatis Christi caritátem et Fundatórum spíritum conserváre et augere dignéris te rogámus audi nos
Ut in diébus nostris et mérito et número pópulum tibi serviéntem ad augere dignéris te rogámus audi nos
Ut huius famulí paréntes caeléstibus donis locupletáre dignéris te rogámus audi nos
Ut hunc fámulum tuum, fratrem nostrum, benedícere, et sanctificáre, et consecráre dignéris te rogámus audi nos
Iesu, Fili Dei vivi te rogámus audi nos
Bishop Mark: Hear us, Lord our God,
and pour out upon this servant of yours the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the grace and power of the priesthood. In your sight we offer this man for ordination: support him with your unfailing love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen. Deacon: Let us stand.
LAYING ON OF HANDS Bishop Mark lays his hands on the head of Dom Augustine in silence. Next all the priests present, wearing stoles, lay their hands upon the candidate in silence.
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION Bishop Mark extends his hands over the head of Dom Augustine and prays the prayer of consecration: Come to our help, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God; you are the source of every honour and dignity, of all progress and stability. You watch over the growing family of man by your gift of wisdom and your pattern of order.
When you had appointed high priests to rule your people, you chose other men next to them in rank and dignity to be with them and to help them in their task; and so there grew up the ranks of priests and the offices of levites, established by sacred rites. In the desert you extended the spirit of Moses to seventy wise men who helped him to rule the great company of his people. You shared among the sons of Aaron the fullness of their father's power, to provide worthy priests in sufficient number for the increasing rites of sacrifice and worship. With the same loving care you gave companions to your Son's apostles to help in teaching the faith : they preached the Gospel to the whole world. Lord, grant also to us such fellow workers, for we are weak and our need is greater. Almighty Father, grant to this servant of yours the dignity of the priesthood. Renew within him the Spirit of holiness. As a co-worker with the order of bishops may he be faithful to the ministry that he receives from you, Lord God, and be to others a model of right conduct. May he be faithful in working with the order of bishops, so that the words of the Gospel may reach the ends of the earth, and the family of nations, made one in Christ, may become God's one, holy people. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. All: Amen
INVESTITURE WITH STOLE AND CHASUBLE While Dom Augustine is being invested with stole and chasuble the monks in choir will sing the Veni Creator Spritus.
ANOINTING OF HANDS Bishop Mark anoints the palms of Dom Augustine with chrism as he kneels before him.
Bishop Mark: The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God.
PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS The deacon brings the paten and chalice to Bishop Mark, who hands them to Dom Augustine saying: Bishop Mark: 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.
KISS OF PEACE
Dom Augustine receives the Kiss of Peace from Bishop Mark. Then the
priests present individually come and give a socially distant sign of
peace to Dom Augustine.
Hymn - Sung by lone cantor
In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save 'Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Offertory Chant
Prayer over the gifts:
We offer you a sacrifice of praise, O Lord, humbly entreating, that, as these gifts are borne by the ministry of Angels into the presence of your majesty, so you may receive them favourably and make them profitable for our salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. The four concelebrants with speaking parts stand around the High Altar while the other concelebrants remain in their places.
THE PREFACE
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just.
Bishop Mark continues with the Preface: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, and to praise you without end in your Archangels and Angels. For the honour we pay the angelic creatures in whom you delight redounds to your own surpassing glory, and by their great dignity and splendour you show how infinitely great you are, to be exalted above all things, Through Christ our Lord. Through him the multitude of Angels extols your majesty, and we are united with them in exultant adoration, as with one voice of praise we acclaim:
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I: THE ROMAN CANON
Bishop Mark:
To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: that you accept and
bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished
sacrifices, which we offer you firstly for your holy catholic Church. Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite and govern her
throughout the whole world, together with your servant Francis our
Pope, my brother George, the Bishop of this Church, and me, your
unworthy servant, and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the
catholic and apostolic faith.
Abbot Paul (Concelebrant 1):
Remember, Lord, your servants and all gathered here, whose faith and
devotion are known to you. For them, we offer you this sacrifice of
praise or they offer it for themselves and all who are dear to them: for
the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being, and
paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true.
Sanctus: XII Pater Cunta
Concelebrant 2:
In communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the
glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ,
and blessed Joseph, her Spouse, your blessed Apostles and Martyrs,
Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude; Linus, Cletus, Clement,
Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul,
Cosmas and Damien and all your Saints; we ask that through their
merits and prayers, in all things we may be defended by your
protecting help.
Bishop Mark:
Therefore, Lord, we pray: graciously accept this oblation of our
service, that of your whole family and from the one you have chosen
for the order of priests. Protect the gifts you have given him, and let
him yield a harvest worthy of you.
Order our days in your peace, and command that we be delivered from
eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have
chosen.
All concelebrants:
Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this
offering in every respect; make it spiritual and acceptable, so that it
may become for us the Body and Blood of your most beloved Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ.
On the day before he was to suffer, he took bread in his holy and
venerable hands, and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, his
almighty Father, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the
bread and give it to his disciples, saying:
Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.
In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice
in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks, he
said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:
Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
for this is the chalice of my Blood,
the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,
which will be poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.
The mystery of faith.
Memorial Acclamation:
All concelebrants:
Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed
Passion, the Resurrection from the dead, and the glorious Ascension
into heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lord, we your servants and your
holy people, offer to your glorious majesty from the gifts that you have
given us, this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim, the
holy Bread of eternal life and the Chalice of everlasting salvation.
Be pleased to look upon these offerings with a serene and kindly
countenance, and to accept them, as once you were pleased to accept
the gifts of your servant Abel the just, the sacrifice of Abraham, our
father in faith, and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek, a holy
sacrifice, a spotless victim. In humble prayer we ask you, almighty
God: command that these gifts be borne by the hands of your holy
Angel to your altar on high in the sight of your divine majesty, so that
all of us, who through this participation at the altar receive the most
holy Body and Blood of your Son, may be filled with every grace and
heavenly blessing.
Concelebrant 3:
Remember also, Lord, your servants, who have gone before us with the
sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace. Grant them, O Lord, we
pray, and all who sleep in Christ, a place of refreshment, light and
peace.
Dom Augustine (Concelebrant 4):
To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners, hope in your abundant
mercies, graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy
apostles and martyrs: with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias,
Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua,
Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia and all your saints; admit us,
we beseech you, into their company, not weighing our merits, but
granting us your pardon, through Christ our Lord.
Bishop Mark:
Through whom you continue to make all these good things, O Lord;
you sanctify them, fill them with life, bless them, and bestow them
upon us.
All concelebrants:
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and
ever.
AMEN.
THE LORD'S PRAYER AND EMBOLISM
At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Bishop Mark alone continues, saying:
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The people conclude the prayer, acclaiming:
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Then Bishop Mark alone says: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. The people reply:
Amen.
Bishop Mark adds: The peace of the Lord be with you always. The people reply:
And with your spirit. Agnus Dei: XII Pater Cunta
Bishop Mark shows the Host and says aloud: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
And together with the people he adds once:
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Continuing to show the Host to the congregation Bishop Mark says: The Body of Christ. To which the congregation replies:
Amen.
Communion Hymn - Verses sung by lone cantor
How can I re-pay the Lord for his good-ness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord's name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people. O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.
Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord's name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Communion Chant:
Prayer after Communion: Let us pray. Having been nourished with heavenly Bread, we beseech you humbly, O Lord, that, drawing from it new strength, under the faithful protection of your Angels, we may advance boldly along the way of salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
PONTIFICAL BLESSING
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Now and for ever.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who made heaven and earth.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Deacon: Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Thanks be to God.
Antiphon to the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemn Salve Regina
Organ Voluntary
Widor Toccata from Symphony No.5
Dom Augustine will give his first blessing to the congregation
communally while maintaining social distance.
Final Thanks
Obviously I want to thank all those who have encouraged me along
this long and winding path to priesthood.
I would like to thank Bishop Mark for agreeing to act as ordaining
bishop, and Abbot Paul for his constant generosity and support.
Similarly my thanks must go to Abbot Nicholas and Dom Peter for
acting as my Junior Masters and Dom Brendan, my Novice Master and
Prior, for their endless patience.
I must express my gratitude to the whole community of Belmont for
the great kindnesses and fellowship they have shown me. I thank my
brethren, both inside and outside the monastery, in the UK and Peru,
and, of course, those who are now with the angels. Requiescant in
pace.
Others, whose support I must acknowledge, are Dom Thomas and
Dom Richard, as parish priests of Abergavenny, my home parish;
Father Neil Evans, chaplain during my time at Swansea University,
and Father Paul Shaw, my tutor whilst studying philosophy. They have
all impressed me in their own special way. As I grew and hopefully
matured, their influence upon my life choices grew and have come to
fruition today.
For the past three years I have been lucky enough to spend time
studying in Rome. During this time I have come to greatly appreciate
the professors and the friendship shown by my classmates at the
Angelicum. Equally, I must credit the Abbot Primate and community
at Sant’Anselmo for their whole-hearted generosity during my stay
with them.
I must also acknowledge the generous support given by the Catenians
of the Abergavenny Circle and the unstinting prayer of the Oblates of
Belmont and so many parishioners of Abergavenny and Belmont.
Finally I would like to express gratitude to my entire family for their
encouragement. Especially my Mum, Dad and sister for their
unconditional love, support and patience in my monastic and now
priestly journey.
How can I repay the Lord For his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.
Psalm 115:12-13