Candidacy

Posted on 26. Feb, 2011 in Carousel

The Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Diaconate and Priesthood is usually celebrated during Mass and conferred by a Bishop. In the Irish tradition it marks the final stage of preparation for ordination to the diaconate and subsequently as a priest.

This rite is celebrated when a man who aspires to the priesthood has completed the necessary human, spiritual,  academic and pastoral formation to be publicly accepted as a candidate for ordination.  His intention to receive the Sacrament of Orders is expressed publicly and accepted by the bishop.  In accordance with Church Law, a person is not to be ordained unless he has first been enrolled among the candidates through the liturgical rite of admission to candidacy.

In the rite, the bishop addressed the candidates saying,

“Aware of the Lord’s concern for his flock and realising the needs of the Church, our brothers consider themselves ready to respond generously to the call of the Lord. Trusting the Lord in whom they put the hope of faithfully pursuing their vocation, they say with the Prophet, ‘Here I am, send me.’”

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York conferred the rote of admission to candidacy to six Irish College seminarians on 19 January 2011.