Rite for the Appointment of a New Abbess
Rite for the Appointment of a New Abbess
(Used by Pope Shenouda III in the appointment of Mother Youanna as Abbess of the Convent of St. George in Old Cairo)
O You who poured out Your Spirit upon the Virgin Mary and granted her blessedness and honor in the eyes of all, so that Elizabeth, though older in age, pronounced her blessed; and all generations have called her blessed. Alleluia.
O You who poured out Your Spirit upon Deborah the Prophetess, who judged the people in the hill country of Ephraim, and to whom the children of Israel came for judgment; so much so that Barak the commander refused to go to battle without her. Through her came victory, and the land had rest for forty years. You also placed in her mouth a song and a hymn. Alleluia.
O You who gave Tabitha a spirit of mercy and kindness, and who was full of good works and charitable deeds. All the widows loved her in her days; therefore You granted her a second span of life beyond her years. Alleluia.
O You who first appeared to Mary Magdalene, she who stood beside You at the Cross, who held Your feet after the Resurrection and worshiped You. You made her a bearer of good tidings even to Your twelve holy apostles, saying to her: “Go and tell My brethren to go into Galilee; there they will see Me. Alleluia.
O You who chose many women for various ministries and placed Your word and counsel upon their lips, so that You said to our father Abraham, the father of the fathers: “Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her. Alleluia.
O You who placed Your love in the heart of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, and granted that her house become the first church, wherein the Holy Spirit descended and the disciples gathered together for prayer.
O You who made the house of Lydia a church, and the house of Aquila and Priscilla a church, and who appointed Phoebe to carry the letters of Saint Paul to the churches. Alleluia.
O You who created woman in Your image and likeness, who likened the whole Church to a bride, and who compared all the saints who shall enter the Kingdom to five wise virgins who were watchful, shining, and carried oil in their lamps. Alleluia.
Now, O Lord, come and dwell among us at this hour, and grant Your servant (N.) the spirit of wisdom and counsel for the governance of the Convent of St. George for Nuns.
Grant her the spirit of knowledge and discernment. Amen.
Grant her the spirit of guidance and good stewardship. Amen.
Grant her the spirit of meekness and love. Amen.
Grant her the spirit of firmness and strength. Amen.
Grant her the spirit of prayer and contemplation. Amen.
Grant her the spirit of mercy and compassion. Amen.
Grant peace to this convent. Amen.
Abide in it by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
And bless its residents and visitors. Amen.
