Special words spoken during the holy orders?

Answer 1

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Catholic AnswerThe Sacrament of Holy Orders is covered in the Catechism, questions 1536-1600. In all three orders, the Church refers to the priesthood of Aaron, and the service of the Levites, as well as the institution of the seventy elders as a prefiguring of the ordained ministry of the New Covenant. Also, the Holy Spirit is invoked, and His Grace, here is an example from the consecration of a bishop:

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from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 19941541 . . . God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . by your gracious word

you have established the plan of your Church.

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From the beginning,

you chose the descendants of Abraham to be your holy nation.

You established rulers and priests,

and did not leave your sanctuary without ministers to serve you . . . (Roman Pontifical, Ordination of Bishops 26, Prayer of Consecration)

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1586 . . . Father, you know all hearts.

You have chosen your servant for the office of bishop.

May he be a shepherd to your holy flock,

and a high priest blameless in your sight,

ministering to you night and day;

may he always gain the blessing of your favor

and offer the gifts of your holy Church.

Through the Spirit who gives the grace of high priesthood

grant him the power

to forgive sins as you have commanded,

to assign ministries as you have decreed,

and to loose from every bond by the authority which you

gave to your apostles.

May he be pleasing to you by his gentleness and purity of heart,

presenting a fragrant offering to you,

through Jesus Christ, you Son . . .(Roman Pontifical, Ordination of Bishops 26, Prayer of Consecration; cf. St. Hippolytus, Trad. ap.3: Sources Chretiennes {Paris: 1942-} 11, 44-46)

Answer 2

The special words spoken during the Catholic holy orders are "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."