Note: It is believed that this liturgy aligns insofar as a lay pastor or licensed reader may be so called and set apart as a subdeacon within the liturgy. It is not an ordained office and May be done by a priest with the appropriate licensure of the candidate as lay Reader or Pastor.

An Order for the Setting–Apart of Subdeacons

¶ It is convenient that this Order should take place immediately before the Epistle at Holy Communion, with the subdeacon reading the Epistle. If receiving a grey tippet, the Subdeacon is dressed in cassock and surplice; if tunicle, he wears an alb.

Sponsor
Reverend Father in God, I present unto you this man, to be set apart to the office and work of Subdeacon.
Officiant
Declare, we pray thee, unto those who are gathered, what the office and work of a Subdeacon are.
¶ Then shall the Sponsor answer,
The duties of a Subdeacon are to read the Epistles, to assist at the Holy Table, and to administer the chalice during the Eucharist; to read the Daily Offices and to study Holy Scripture; and to present an example of Christian humility and service in their daily lives.
¶ Then shall the Officiant ask,
Hath inquiry been made into his life and conduct, and into his knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and of the doctrine and practice of the Church as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer and the canons of our diocese?
Sponsor
Inquiry hath been made, and he hath been found meet for the duties that will be required of him.
¶ Then shall the Officiant say,
Beloved, we have good confidence that he who is now presented to be set apart to the office of Subdeacon is competent thereto, for it hath been so certified unto us, as the Canons require, by them whose word we trust. Nevertheless, if there be any who can allege aught on account of which it is inexpedient that this person be so set apart, let protest now be made openly and before all men.
¶ If no good reason be alleged by any why any should not be set apart, the following Lesson shall be read.

Romans xii:1–9a

¶ Then shall the Officiant say,
V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
R. Who hath made heaven and earth.
V. O Lord, save thy people;
R. And bless thine heritage.
V. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us;
R. As our trust is in thee.
Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service: Look down, we beseech, on this thy servant who is now to receive authority from us for his work in thy Church. Pour upon him the abundance of thy grace, make him modest and humble in his ministrations, ready to obey those set over him in the Lord, diligent to prove and fashion his own life, and the lives of his family, according to thy blessed Word. Grant unto him to grow in the knowledge and love of thy Word, that he may minister to the salvation of souls, to the edification of thy Church, and to the glory of thy holy Name; so that finally he may have his portion with those who have faithfully ministered thy Word; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Vicar General say unto the Candidate(s):
Dearly beloved, who art to be admitted as Subdeacon in the House of our God, we call upon thee to know the importance of that office, and to fulfil it with all reverence and godly fear. For our God is a mighty and merciful God, who will pour upon thee his grace that thou mayest go on to perfection. And as thou art set in an high place in the Church, that thy voice may be heard of all men, so oughtest thou to study to hold an high place likewise in all godly living; to the attaining of which may God bestow upon thee his heavenly grace.
¶ Then shall the Vicar General ask of them the following questions, to which each Candidate shall answer for himself.
Officiant
Wilt thou in thy ministrations observe the due order and discipline of the Church, and obey those who are set in authority over thee?
Answer
I will.
Officiant
Wilt thou endeavour to frame and fashion your lives so as to be wholesome examples to the people amongst whom thou livest?
Answer
I will do so, by the help of the Lord.
¶ Then shall the Candidate(s) kneel, and shall the Priest say,
Almighty God, who hath called thee to serve him in this holy life, give thee the power to fulfil this thy service acceptably; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Priest lay his hands severally upon the head of each person to be made Subdeacon, saying,
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and sanctify thee; and so endow thee with all faith, wisdom, and humility, that thou mayest serve before him to the glory of his great Name, and to the benefit of his Church and people; and make thee faithful unto death, and give thee the crown of everlasting life. Amen.
N., I admit thee to the office of Subdeacon, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
¶ The subdeacon receives a grey tippet or tunicle
Let us pray.
Holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, vouchsafe to bless this your servant N., whom you have deigned to choose for the office of subdeacon, that you may make him active in your holy sanctuary and concerned for the heavenly host; and may he faithfully assist at your holy altar, and may there rest on him the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and godliness; and may you fill him with the spirit of your fear to strengthen him in the divine ministry,' that obedient and subject to your command he may attain your grace; through our Lord (Gallican Rite)
May the Lord give thee wisdom, courage, strength, and love to do his will. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, rest upon thee and upon the work which thou shalt do in his name, now and for evermore. Amen.
¶ Here followeth the Epistle, to be read by one of those persons newly set apart as Subdeaon. Psalm 100, “Jubilate Deo”, is recommended for the Gradual Psalm.

Celebrant
The Lord will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh,
People
And your sons and daughters shall prophesy.
Celebrant
Your old men shall dream dreams,
People
And your young men shall see visions.
Celebrant
You shall know that the Lord is in the midst of his people,
People
That he is the Lord and there is none else.
Celebrant
And it shall come to pass
People
That everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Joel 2:27-28, 32; Acts 2:17, 21)

Sources

Note: When a tunicle is worn, but the subdeacon does not wear a maniple; a priest or deacon serving as the subdeacon of the mass may wear a maniple

Gallican rubrics

When a subdeacon is ordained, since he does not receive the imposition of hands, let him receive from the hand of the bishop the empty paten and the empty chalice, and from the hand of the archdeacon let him receive the ewer with the basin and towel.

BIDDING AT THE ORDINATION OF A SUBDEACON (Gallican)

Let us pray to our Lord God, that upon his servant N., whom he has vouchsafed to call to the office of subdeacon, he may pour his blessing and grace, so that serving faithfully in his sight he may attain the rewards destined for the saints; through our Lord…

Blessing of the Subdeacon (Gallican Rite):

Holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, vouchsafe to bless this your servant N., whom you have deigned to choose for the office of subdeacon, that you may make him active in your holy sanctuary and concerned for the heavenly host; and may he faithfully assist at your holy altar, and may there rest on him the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and godliness; and may you fill him with the spirit of your fear to strengthen him in the divine ministry,' that obedient and subject to your command he may attain your grace; through our Lord… .