In nearly all forms of ordination, there comes a time in the rite where the bishop (or someone in his or her place) addresses the candidate or the assembly. Why?
Such addresses nearly always occur (or should occur) for rites and services that are more unusual and rare. For example, one proceeds the Easter Vigil. Certainly ordination is a more rarely seen rite; it cannot take place just any old time. So, it figures that an address of some sorts accompanies this rite.
But who is being address? The candidate for ordination is an obvious choice, but it is not always so – or at least not always exclusively so.
With the people gathered, the bishop, and the liturgist in his or her stead, has the opportunity to educate the laity on the theological implications of ordination. The address is the best place to do this. The address to the candidate would likely include exhortations for ministry and warnings (yes, I said warnings) on the state of taking holy orders. Frankly it is akin to the address made at a wedding.
No matter who is being addressed or what is being said, the address in the ordination rite is an important fixture which no pastor, priest or reverend will soon forget following their ordination.
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