a hope, with God's help, to be able to live continently; they shall serve in the churches to which they may be assigned; and are to know that it is most highly becoming that, after having ministered at the altar, they should receive the sacred communion, at least on the Lord's days and solemnities. Those who have been promoted to the sacred order of the subdeaconship shall not, until they have been employed therein during at least a year, be permitted to ascend to a higher grade, unless it shall seem otherwise to the bishop. Two sacred orders shall not be conferred on the same day, even upon regulars; any privileges and indults soever, to whomsoever granted, notwithstanding.
CHAPTER XIV.
Who are to be admitted to the Priesthood: the Office of those to be admitted.
Those who have piously and faithfully conducted themselves in their preceding functions, and are admitted to the order of priesthood, shall have a good testimonial, and be such persons as have not only served in their office of deacon during at least an entire year, unless for the utility and the necessity of the Church, it should seem otherwise to the bishop, but who, by a careful previous examination, have also been approved to be competent to teach the people those things which it is necessary for all to know unto salvation, as also [fit] to administer the sacraments; and so conspicuous for piety and chasteness of morals, as that a glorious example of good works and a lesson of life may be expected from them. The bishop shall take care that they celebrate mass at least on the Lord's days, and on solemn festivals; but, if they have the cure of souls, so often as to satisfy their bounden duty. The bishop may, for a lawful cause, grant a dispensation to those who have been promoted per saltum[1] provided they have not exercised the ministry [of that order],
- ↑ Literally, "at a leap" i. e. omitting some inferior gradation of orders.
