On January 30, 2018, in Sacred Heart Major Seminary’s main chapel, third-year graduate seminarian for the Archdiocese of Detroit, John McKenzie, was admitted to the order of candidacy and the ministry of the acolyte. The admission to candidacy is a necessary step taken prior to receiving Holy Orders, in which seminarians make a commitment to enter fully into the preparation and formation for diaconal ordination and priesthood.
The Most Reverend Gerard Battersby, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, presided over the celebration and accepted the candidacy of John. The order of the candidacy is a non-binding step where a bishop, on behalf of the Church, receives the seminarian’s declaration of intent to complete priestly formation.
Following candidacy, John was installed to the ministry of the acolyte, making a permanent commitment to serve the altar. Among his many duties, John is now able to assist the priest and deacon during liturgical celebrations and help in the distribution of Holy Communion. In addition to assisting the priest and deacon, John is now responsible for such tasks as lighting the candles on the altar, carrying candles in procession, preparing the water for the sacrifice of the Mass, and assisting with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Pray for John as he continues his journey toward being ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2019.
