The most solemn moment of the ordination is the laying on of hands . This is done in silence, the bishop laying both hands on the head of each ordinaned. With the candidates kneeling before the bishop, he extends his hands over them and prays the Consecratory Prayer , calling down the Holy Spirit upon them to join them into the Spirit-filled humanity of the risen christ. Newly ordained deacons are then vested with the stole and dalmatic . The dalmatic is a symbol of service to God s people.
English monarchs wear dalmatics when they are crowned.
The original dalmatics were woven from white Dalmatian wool. Newly ordained priests are then vested with the stole and chasuble . The stole was the symbol of Office worn by civil magistrates in the time of Constantine. The chasuble was an outer festive garment worn by Roman men on the occasions of great celebrations and festivals. The hands of the newly ordained priests are anointed with Chrism , the holy oil that permeates them with the presence of the anointed, the Christ.