This document provides information about the ministries of lector and acolyte in the Catholic Church. It discusses the history of each role, from their origins in the early church to the changes made by Vatican II. It also describes the rites of institution for lectors and acolytes, including the elements of each rite. The functions and spiritualities of the lector and acolyte roles are outlined. Finally, the knowledge expected of those in each ministry is presented.

1. Ministrie
s of
Lectors
and
Acolytes

2. Lectorate

3. LECTORATE

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

5. A. History

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. B. The Rite of Institution
of Readers

12. B. The Rite of Institution
of Readers
– Structure of the Rite
– Explanation of the Various Elements

13. B. The Rite of Institution
of Readers
– Structure of the Rite
– 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

14. B. The Rite of Institution
of Readers
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– A. calling of candidates
– The ministry is a public office in the community of the church
– The candidates are introduced to the faithful

15. B. The Rite of Institution
of Readers
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– B. instruction
– 3 parts:
– 1.) history of salvation
– 2.) explanation of the tasks
– 3.) spirituality of the lector

16. B. The Rite of Institution
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…

17. B. The Rite of Institution
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.

18. B. The Rite of Institution
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

19. B. The Rite of Institution
of Readers
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– C. Prayer
– The task is difficult—weakness of human beings—the community is
invited to pray for the candidates

20. B. The Rite of Institution
of Readers
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– 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”

21. C. Functions of Lector

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

23. C. Functions of Lector
– The Sacramentary
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

24. C. Functions of Lector
– Ministeria Quaedam
– 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

25. C. Functions of Lector
– The Rite of Institution
– a. instruct children and adults in the faith
– b. bring the message of salvation to those have not yet
received it

26. D. Spirituality of the Lector

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

28. 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)

29. D. Spirituality of the Lector
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

30. D. Spirituality of the Lector
– 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

31. E. Demands on the Lector

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

33. 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

34. Acolytate

35. Saint
Tarcisius

36. Saint
Tarcisius and
Pope
Benedict XVI

37. ACOLYTATE

38. ACOLYTATE

39. 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

40. A. The Name

41. 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

42. B. History

43. 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.)

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

45. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes

46. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes
– Structure of the Rite
– Explanation of the Various Elements

47. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes
– Structure of the Rite
– 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

48. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes
– Explanation of the Various Elements

49. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– a. calling of the candidates
– A public ministry thus the community has a right to know them

50. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– b. instruction
– 3 parts:
– 1. the importance of the eucharist
– 2. description of the ministry
– 3. the spirituality of the acolyte

51. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– c. prayer
– 3 parts:
– 1. invitation to prayer
– 2. silence
– 3. prayer: “in the service of your altar”

52. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– 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”

53. C. The Rite of
Institution for Acolytes
– Explanation of the Various Elements
– 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

54. D. Functions of the Acolyte

55. D. Functions of the Acolyte
– The Sacramentary
– Ministeria Quaedam
– The Rite of Institution

56. D. Functions of the Acolyte
– The Sacramentary
– 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

57. D. Functions of the Acolyte
– The Sacramentary
– d. helps in the distribution of communion
– e. purifies the vessels after communion

58. D. Functions of the Acolyte
– Ministeria Quaedam
– 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

59. D. Functions of the Acolyte
– The Rite of Institution
– may bring communion to the sick and viaticum

60. E. Spirituality of
the Acolyte

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

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

63. E. Spirituality of the
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

64. F. Knowledge the
Acolyte is Supposed
to Have

65. 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

66. 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.

67. 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

68. 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

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

70. ADDITIONAL
REFLECTIONS

71. 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.

72. 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.