Towards Ordination in the ACCC

Ordination in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada requires a period of preparation consisting of theological study, spiritual formation, and ministry training.  This preparation is an opportunity for the Candidate to discern God's will for his life and to undertake an intensive period of study and spiritual examination.  A vocation to the ministerial priesthood is neither a job nor a career path, but a calling to a life of service through the indelible sacrament of Holy Orders.  It is also a vocation unmatched by any other this world affords; one which draws the person into the very vocation of God's own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the great High Priest and Shepherd of our souls.

Saint Bede's Anglican Catholic Theological College provides candidates for ordination in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada the necessary theological study, spiritual formation and pastoral training for ordination to the Sacred Orders of Deacon and Priest in the Church of God.  The curriculum is offered through resident tutorials and lectures as well as through directed readings and distance education programs.  Candidates for ordination may undertake their studies on either a full-time or part-time basis.  Upon successful completion of the prescribed program of theological studies and ministry preparation, the candidate is granted a degree in theology by the Board of Regents and is recommended for ordination to the Diocesan Bishop.

Program of Studies

The preparation and training for ordination is divided into three components: Spiritual formation, academic study, and ministry training.  In this way, the candidate for ordination is exposed not only to the study of theology, but also to the spiritual, liturgical, and pastoral dimensions of the ordained ministry.

Spiritual Formation

Spiritual formation is an extremely important element in the overall training and development of the candidate for Holy Orders.  As such, each candidate for ordination will be required to submit a written Rule of Life to his Spiritual Director (with a copy to the Dean of the College) and answer for it to his Spiritual Director throughout the year.  This Rule of Life must specifically include the following topics: (a) daily personal prayer, a schedule of directed spiritual reading and meditation; (b) the recitation of the Daily Office; (c) a schedule of attendance and assistance at Mass; (d) the observation of the Church's rules of feasting and fasting; (e) a minimum monthly sacramental confession to the candidate's regular confessor; (f) tithing; and, (g) the absolute observance of chastity in the state to which the candidate is called.

• Daily Personal Prayer means praying at least twice a day, morning and evening, every day.  Prayer is our conversation with God, by and through which we are able to discern His will for our lives, and to bring our joys, doubts, sorrows, and questions to Him.  God is the Alpha and Omega -- we must make Him so in our own lives.
• Directed Spiritual Reading is very important and is primarily intended to move the candidate to prayer.  It needn't be very much but it must be directed and must be regular.  Each candidate for ordination will be assigned a spiritual director by the Dean of the College, who will discuss with the candidate a course of spiritual reading.
• Meditation is also important to one's spiritual development.  The candidate's spiritual director will discuss the various methods of meditation, and assist the candidate in developing a personal plan of daily meditation.  In addition, each candidate will be required to be conversant with the technical vocabulary involved in meditation together with the sundry methodologies.
• Recitation of the Daily Office is required of every member of the clergy.  It is important that the candidate for Holy Orders regularly pray the Office, morning and evening, each day of the year.  It is recommended that the candidate also pray the Lesser Hours (Prime, Terce, Sext, None, and Compline), in order to sanctify his time and to offer his entire day to God.
• Attendance at Mass is required every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.  Attendance at weekday Mass is recommended, whenever possible.  The Holy Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's spiritual life; it must be at the heart of the candidate's spiritual life as well.
• The Church's Rule of Feasting means receiving Holy Communion at the required times -- Christmas, Easter, and Whitsunday.  The candidate's own Rule should say how often he plan to receive -- e.g., every Sunday, daily, twice a week.  Receiving, however, means a proper preparation before and thanksgiving after Mass.
• The Church's Rule of Fasting and Abstinence is found on page xiii of the Book of Common Prayer (Canada).  In addition to the Days of Fasting and Abstinence, the candidate's Rule should reflect an observance of the Eucharistic Fast.  These 'external' rules are meant to form internal spiritual discipline.
• Confession is an integral part of a candidate's preparation, discernment, and spiritual development.  It must become a fixed part of the person's Rule of Life and spiritual practice.  At minimum, a monthly confession will enable the candidate to 'stay on top of things' spiritually.  Each candidate will be required to find a regular confessor -- he may or may not be the person's spiritual director.  Confession is not a time for psychoanalysis but a time to confess one's sins, receive penance and benefit from absolution.
• Tithing is a part of our obligations as a member of Christ's church on earth.  The Church's discipline has called on all Christians to tithe since the beginning.  Our Lord Jesus Christ said: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (St. Matt. 6:21)  Tithing is, first and foremost, a spiritual activity.  Tithing does not mean spending 10% of your money on "church things".  Tithing means giving at least 10% of your income to the Church.  The 'spiritual' point of tithing is to regularly give away a percentage of your money, to realize that "man does not live on bread alone," and to increase your faith and trust in God that He will provide for all your needs.
• Chastity is part of one's life as a Christian, whether married or single.  A candidate's observance of chastity is to be in accordance with his state in life and must be above reproach.  Any sexual activity or relationship outside of marriage is forbidden.  Our strength is Christ, Who is constantly accessible to us through prayer and the Sacraments.  Candidates for Holy Orders should not neglect the means of grace offered by Christ and His Church to those seeking a life of faithfulness and chastity.

Theological Studies

A candidate's academic studies will encompass a program of theological courses and directed readings designed to expose him to the fundamentals of Christian theology and prepare him for ordination and parish ministry.  The first component of theological studies will prepare the candidate for ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon; while the second component will prepare him for ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests.

Candidates will undertake their course of studies by means of tutorials, lectures, directed readings, video lectures, submission of papers, and periodic examinations. The instructors will outline the expectations and requirements for successful completion of each course based upon the curriculum and criteria established by the Board of Regents and administered by the Dean of the College. The length (number of hours of lecture, tutorials, study, etc.) will vary depending upon the nature and scope of each course; the sequence and timing of the courses will be determined in consultation with the candidate, faculty, and the Dean of the College. Each candidate will be responsible for setting his own schedule (subject to the instructors’ requirements and the course schedules), for completing the directed readings, viewing the videos, attending the tutorials, submitting the papers, and meeting the deadlines assigned by the instructor(s). From time to time the candidate will be asked to make a progress report to the Dean of the College. A formal examination will be held in each course to determine whether the candidate has successfully completed the course requirements.

Courses Required for Ordination to the Diaconate

• B-100 Introduction to the Old Testament
• B-101 New Testament Greek
• B-105 Introduction to the New Testament
• H-100 Church History: Early Church to 1500 AD
• H-101 Church History: Reformation to the Present
• H-105 Councils, Creeds and Heresies
• H-110 The History of Liturgy
• T-100 Christian Apologetics
• T-101 Christian Philosophy
• T-105 Introduction to Christian Theology
• T-110 Introduction to Moral Theology
• T-120 Introduction to Ascetical Theology
• T-130 Introduction to Sacramental Theology
• C-100 Canon Law and Polity

Additional Courses Required for Ordination to the Priesthood

• B-200 The Pentateuch
• B-205 The Prophets
• B-210 The Synoptic Gospels
• B-215 John and Revelation
• B-220 The Pauline and Catholic Epistles
• B-230 Hermeneutics
• H-200 Patristics
• H-210 Historical Anglican Theology
• H-220 The Book of Common Prayer
• H-250 Readings in English Spirituality I
• H-255 Readings in English Spirituality II
• H-260 Readings in English Spirituality III
• T-210 Moral Theology II
• T-220 Ascetical Theology and Spiritual Direction
• T-230 Dogmatic Theology

Practical Training for the Ministry

As part of the training for the ordained ministry, and as a component of his Rule of Life, each candidate for ordination will be required to take an active part in the worship and pastoral activities of his local parish. This will include attendance and assistance at Mass, officiating from time to time at Matins and Evensong, preaching one Sunday in every quarter, and exposure to various pastoral duties.

Toward the end of each year's course of studies, the candidate will be expected to participate in supervised liturgical and pastoral training in the respective ministries of Deacon and Priest. These practical courses will encompass the following areas of ministry: Pastoral Theology; Practical Training in Liturgy; Fundamentals of Sacred Music; Preaching; and Parish Ministry.

Last Updated August 16, 2006