DETROIT – Surrounded by family and friends, 15 seminarians gathered in Sacred Heart Major Seminary’s chapel on the evening of Oct. 30 to receive new ministries as they take the next step in their journey toward the priesthood.

Lansing Bishop Earl A. Boyea presided over the Mass of installation for lectors and acolytes; nine third-year seminarians were installed in the ministry of acolyte, and six second-year seminarians were installed as lectors. 

The two ministries — which until 1972 were considered “minor orders” — represent a significant step in the formation of a seminarian, following candidacy, which is conferred upon entering the school of theology.

Pope St. Paul VI reformed the ministries of lector and acolyte in the modern Church with his 1972 apostolic letter Ministeria Quaedam, directing that they be given to candidates for holy orders as part of their formation.

The lay ministries confer upon the seminarians an instituted office with responsibilities that, in the modern Church, are often filled by volunteers — for instance, serving at the altar or proclaiming Scripture during Mass — highlighting the nature of their vocation and commitment to growing as disciples of Christ and servants of his Church.

While the ministries of lector and acolyte are open to all laypeople, they are most commonly conferred upon candidates for ordination as a way to reflect their deepening formation and service to the Gospel and the sacraments.

Among the roles fulfilled by a lector include carrying the book of the Gospels and reading from the ambo during Mass, while acolytes assist in the preparation of the altar and aid the priest or deacon in the celebration of the liturgy.

“My sons and brothers, these great ministries are meant for us to proclaim God's word so that hearts will burn within others, and to stand as fellow sinners serving others in all humility so as to draw them to Jesus himself,” Bishop Boyea explained.

In order to be servants of the word, Bishop Boyea told the candidates for the ministries of lector and acolyte that they must follow the example of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and John and “consume” the word. 

“We must consume that word in all its sweetness and bitterness,” Bishop Boyea said. “In this word, we must find our sustenance, our hope, and our strength; it is only the word of God that will give you life.”

To prepare themselves for these ministries and to be servants of the word, lectors must first allow the word of God to stir within their innermost being, so that their hearts burn within them, allowing “you only to speak what God wants said and when he wants it said,” Bishop Boyea told the seminarians. 

Essential to serving at the altar, Bishop Boyea said, is facing one’s own sinfulness and, with humility, approaching the Bread of Life in full communion with one’s fellow believers.

“We must keep our focus on Jesus as one who repeatedly describes himself as ‘I Am,’” Bishop Boyea told the acolytes. “Still, we also know that our ministry at the altar will always be done in weakness, and that it is precisely at that point that the power of God is revealed. We know this since we minister as agents of and in the Church, a Church in which many have difficulty believing – perhaps even ourselves at times – that this spotless bride of Christ comprises all of us sinners.”

Turning to the new lectors and acolytes, Bishop Boyea challenged the seminarians to remain steadfast in faith and love in their new roles.

"We, too, my sons and brothers, are sinners, and as such, we will always be with this ministry, the sinful face of the bride of Christ,” Bishop Boyea continued. “This will be a challenge for us. Every time we stand to serve our fellow believers at the altar, we’ve been called to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.”

Lectors

The following second-year seminarians were installed in the ministry of lector:

• Mason Gregory Abbott (Diocese of Lansing)
• Bro. Andrew John Collart, SOLT (Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity)
• Jonathan James Galvas (Diocese of Lansing)
• Matthew Frank Harazin (Diocese of Kalamazoo)
• Logan Matthew Scott (Diocese of Kalamazoo)
• Charles David Tackman (Diocese of Marquette)

Acolytes

The following third-year seminarians were installed in the ministry of acolyte: 

• Christopher Jacob Belanger (Diocese of Gaylord)
• Charles James Bemiss (Archdiocese of Detroit)
• James Burleson Bonar (Diocese of Lansing)
• Paul Edward Keenan (Diocese of Lansing)
• Joseph Gerald Lennon (Archdiocese of Detroit)
• Bro. Gregory Rice, SOLT (Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity)
• Anthony Sean Riley (Archdiocese of Detroit)
• Hector Albeiro Saldarriaga Cadavid (Diocese of Kalamazoo)
• Ethan Douglas Wilcox (Diocese of Marquette)