Lectors and acolytes

Ministrie
s of
Lectors
and
Acolytes

LECTORATE
– A. History
– B. The Rite of Institution of Readers
– C. Functions of Lector
– D. Spirituality of the Lector
– E. Demands on the Lector

A. History
– St. Justin (150 A.D.)
– earliest mention of such an office
– no mention of institution—only the distinction between the
reader and the presider, i.e. the reader reads and the presider
gives the homily and explanation

A. History
– Apostolic Tradition of Hippolyt (60 years after St. Justin’s 1st
apology)
– this office is not received by imposition of hands but by
handing over of the book
– distinction between ordination and institution

A. History
– schola lectorum (early centuries)
– not only training but formation for future ministry

A. History
– 10th century on
– lectorate became a preparatory stage for priestly ordination—
– received a new name: minor order

A. History
– After Vatican II (1972)
– Pope Paul VI made a total re-structuring
– lectorate given back to the laity
– the subdiaconate was abolished
– lectorate became once again a ministry with concrete functions

B. The Rite of Institution
of Readers

of Readers
– Structure of the Rite
– Explanation of the Various Elements

of Readers
– A. after the Gospel reading, the candidate is called
– B. instruction or homily
– C. Prayer
– D. handing over of the Bible
– E. continuation of the mass or bible service

of Readers
– A. calling of candidates
– The ministry is a public office in the community of the church
– The candidates are introduced to the faithful

of Readers
– B. instruction
– 3 parts:
– 1.) history of salvation
– 2.) explanation of the tasks
– 3.) spirituality of the lector

of Readers
– 1.) history of salvation
– The Father sent his Son to make known and to effect salvation of the
whole world
– The lector has a special role in this heralding: by reading, he makes known
God’s mighty deeds…

of Readers
– 2.) explanation of the tasks
– enumeration of tasks, e.g.:
– Proclamation of the word
– Instruction of children and adults
– Catechizing of unbelievers
– etc.

of Readers
– 3.) spirituality of the lector
– Should not only announce the word but accept it personally and submit to
it
– Meditate so as to interiorize
– Be a true disciple of Christ

of Readers
– C. Prayer
– The task is difficult—weakness of human beings—the community is
invited to pray for the candidates

of Readers
– D. Institution
– The handing over of the book
– Be faithful in the ministry so that the word of God may grow strong
in the hearts of his people
– The lector answers “amen”

C. Functions of Lector
– The Sacramentary
– Ministeria Quaedam
– The Rite of Institution

a. He participates in the entrance procession and if there is no
deacon, he may carry the lectionary
b. As a liturgical minister his place is in the sanctuary
c. He reads the readings, except the gospel from the lectern
d. If no cantor, may recite or sing the responsorial psalm
e. If no deacon, may read intercessions
f. If no entrance song or communion song, may read the
antiphon at the proper time

– a. direct the singing and the participation of the faithful
– b. instruct the faithful for the worthy reception of the
sacrament
– c. take care of the preparation of readers on temporary
assignment

– a. instruct children and adults in the faith
– b. bring the message of salvation to those have not yet
received it

D. Spirituality of the
Lector
– The Church
– The Word of God

D. Spirituality of the Lector
– The Church
– The lectorate is a church ministry—for the building up of the
church
– The lector must have a deep love for the church (the local
church vis-à-vis the universal church)

The Word of God
– The lector must have a deep love for the word of God
– Have a correct understanding of God’s word and a deep faith in it
– Have a compassionate understanding of the situation of God’s
people
– Have a warm and abiding love for SS
– Reflection, meditation, interiorization

– The Word of God
– The lector must have a deep love for the word of God
– Have a correct understanding of the importance of one’s ministry
– Prayer is needed
– Have a basic knowledge of SS
– Have a willingness to live God’s word in a special way

E. Demands on the Lector
– Good Voice
– Worthy External Appearance
– Good Knowledge
– Preparation and Evaluation

E. Demands on the Lector
– Good Knowledge
– Familiarity with the lectionary
– Knowledge about the microphone
– Maintain eye contact
– Etc.
– Preparation and Evaluation
– A serious obligation to prepare
– Evaluation not only of performance but motivation and
spirituality—sequela Christi

Saint
Tarcisius and
Pope
Benedict XVI

ACOLYTATE
– A. The Name
– B. History
– C. The Rite of Institution for Acolytes
– D. Functions of the Acolyte
– E. Spirituality of the Acolyte
– F. Knowledge the Acolyte is Supposed to Have

A. The Name
– Acolyte—from Greek—akoloutheo—meaning to follow, to
imitate, to accompany
– Akolouthos (noun)—a servant, companion
– Ergo, an acolyte is one who accompanies the priest or
deacon in order to help them during the eucharistic
celebration

B. History
– Not much is known about its earliest origin
– Earliest is found in a letter of Pope Cornelius to Fabius,
bishop of Antioch (251 A.D.)
– Middle Ages
– Like lectorate, reserved to the clerics and the laity were
excluded
– Minor order—but an empty ceremony because no exercise of
function (because of deacon, subdeacon, etc.)

B. History
– Ministeria Quaedam (1972)
– Subdiaconate was abolished
– Given back to the laity
– Functions were assigned to it

C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes

C. The Rite of

C. The Rite of
– A. after the Gospel reading, the candidate is called
– B. instruction or homily
– C. Prayer
– D. handing over of the vessel with the bread or wine to be
consecrated
– E. continuation of the mass with the acolytes exercising their
ministry for the first time

C. The Rite of

C. The Rite of
– a. calling of the candidates
– A public ministry thus the community has a right to know them

C. The Rite of
– b. instruction
– 3 parts:
– 1. the importance of the eucharist
– 2. description of the ministry
– 3. the spirituality of the acolyte

C. The Rite of
– c. prayer
– 3 parts:
– 1. invitation to prayer
– 2. silence
– 3. prayer: “in the service of your altar”

C. The Rite of
– d. institution
– Reception of the sacred vessel with the gifts to be
consecrated—shape their life in such a way that they become
worthy ministries “at the table of of the Lord and his Church”
– response: “amen”

C. The Rite of
– e. exercising their ministry
– Can become immediately active in the eucharistic
celebration—may present paten with bread and chalice with
wine and help in distribution of communion

D. Functions of the Acolyte

– a. carries the procession cross during entrance procession
of the eucharist
– b. helps and assists in bringing and handling the liturgical
books
– c. prepares the altar and the vessels before the preparation
of the gifts; also helps in receiving the gifts at the offertory
procession and in incensing

– d. helps in the distribution of communion
– e. purifies the vessels after communion

– a. may expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration and
replace it, but may not give the blessing
– b. may instruct other ministers who by temporary
assignment are helpers in the eucharist

– may bring communion to the sick and viaticum

E. Spirituality of
the Acolyte

E. Spirituality of the
Acolyte
– The Church
– The Eucharist

Acolyte
– The Church
– An acolyte must have a firm commitment and love for the
Christian community
– Help to build up the Church
– Table-fellowship

Acolyte
– The Eucharist
– Some aspects:
– a. the acolyte must become a sacrifice to the Lord
– b. must be in the service of his fellowmen
– c. concern for the unity of the Church
– d. concern for the sick and the weak
– e. genuine love and deep love for the eucharist

F. Knowledge the
Acolyte is Supposed
to Have

F. Knowledge the
Acolyte is Supposed
to Have
– Correct Understanding of the Eucharist
– Various Forms of Reverence and their Meaning
– Basic Understanding of the Mass
– What to Do in Extraordinary Situations

F. Knowledge the
Acolyte is Supposed
to Have
– Correct Understanding of the Eucharist
– Primary form: Mass
– Secondary form: various kinds of eucharistic devotions and
practices derived from Mass
– Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
– Adoration
– Eucharistic processions
– Etc.

F. Knowledge the
Acolyte is Supposed
to Have
– Various Forms of Reverence and their Meaning
– a. genuflection and kneeling
– b. double genuflection is abolished
– c. incense
– d. monstrance

F. Knowledge the
Acolyte is Supposed
to Have
– Basic Understanding of the Mass
– A must
– As a minimum, must know the various parts of the Mass

F. Knowledge the
Acolyte is Supposed
to Have
– What to Do in Extraordinary Situations

ADDITIONAL
REFLECTIONS
– The Ministries are Compulsory for the Candidates to the
Diaconate
– Can. 1035
– 1. before anyone may be promoted to the diaconate, whether
permanent or transitory, he must have received the ministries of
lector and acolyte, and have exercised them for an appropriate time.

ADDITIONAL
REFLECTIONS
– The Ministries are Compulsory for the Candidates to the
Diaconate
– Can. 1035
– 2. between the conferring of the ministry of the acolyte and the
diaconate there is to be an interval of at least six months.

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