Seminarians reflect on installation as lector, acolyte

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Andre Sicard

SALT LAKE CITY — In recent months, three seminarians studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Salt Lake City have taken the next formal steps in the preparation for ordination: Andre Sicard and Anthony Shumway were installed in the ministry of lector, and Oscar Marquina was installed in the ministry of acolyte. Below, each man reflects on his installation.

Andre Sicard

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Feb. 3, I was instituted as a lector by Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. at Theological College, my seminary in Washington D.C.

Being instituted into the ministry of lector is one of the formal steps the Church has toward Holy Orders. This means that I am now formally instituted by the Church to proclaim the readings at Mass and other liturgies. But that does not mean I had not been a lector at Mass before I was instituted. I had read at Mass several times before Feb. 3, but as I reflect on what being an instituted lector means to me personally, I understand it and now reflect on it as a commitment to the Church and to the Word of God.

Leading up to the institution, I was praying with the words that were to be said during the actual ritual of Institution of Lectors. The word that I kept seeing, and that was moving my heart, was the word “faithful.” As the bishop invites the people to pray over those to be instituted lectors, he says, “Let us pray that they may be faithful to the work entrusted to them.” Then, in the actual prayer, the bishop prays, “Grant that as they meditate constantly on your Word they may grow in its wisdom and faithfully proclaim it to your people.” And then, finally, when we knelt in front of the bishop and he gave us the Bible, he said, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God.” I think it was the Holy Spirit emphasizing “faithful” to help me see the importance of this moment in my formation process toward the priesthood.

This was really the first moment in my vocational journey that, in front of the gathered assembly representative of the whole Church and especially the People of God from Utah, I was committing to faithfulness to the Word of God and to the Body of Christ. This meant that I had taken on a responsibility to grow with Scripture and to proclaim it well from the ambo, the table of the Word, in order that those who gather in Christ may benefit and grow themselves with the Word.

This is an important commitment. (And not just for me, but for all those who lector.) So, I ask for your prayers as I continue this journey toward the priesthood so that I truly may be “faithful in handing on the word of God.”

In my commitment to the Word of God as a lector, I also commit to keep you all, the Body of Christ in Utah who faithfully support vocations, in my own prayers.

Anthony Shumway

MOUNT ANGEL, Ore. — As a seminarian, being installed as a lector is a big step toward the future step of ordination. It was for me the realization that I had been in seminary for more than four years already, and although I had taken little steps and said “yes” in small private ways to myself and the bishop, I am now in a more radical and public way expressing my commitment to live my life oriented toward God and Holy Mother Church.

This realization at first did not faze me. While I was reading through the document “Ministeria Quaedam” written by Pope Paul VI in 1973 of what the lector is, and while writing my petition earlier this year to Bishop Solis, I could not shake the feeling that I have read at Mass for years, so what’s the big deal? But as I was standing before Bishop Joseph V. Brennan of the Diocese of Fresno, who installed me as lector, and I heard him speak the words “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people,” all while handing me a Bible, I could not stop thinking about how real my commitment to this life is.

We are taught in seminary to read Scripture every day not just because we find it interesting or because we are going to be tested on it, but because it needs to be something that fulfills us, along with the Eucharist, so that we can better live out our lives as spiritual fathers to all. We need to not just read it, but we need to live it. That is what is being said when being installed as lector: Go and live the Gospel to all, and do this in a more radical way than you have been until now.

This was the moment that I realized how much more than just reading at Mass the lector is tasked with, and I know with the help of the Holy Spirit I can fulfill my obligation and promote the Gospel in a glorifying way. I am so thankful and excited that I am now a lector of the Catholic Church.

Oscar Marquina

ROME, Italy — As a seminarian two years away from ordination, I was recently installed in the Ministry of Acolyte. I couldn’t help but project myself to the day of ordination, because all the parts were there, albeit to a smaller degree: a distinct liturgical ceremony, calling forward of the candidates, and a joyful feast afterward. The Installation of Acolyte allowed my heart and mind to enter into the logic of the priesthood, which is indeed what these minor orders are meant to do. Although the responsibilities of minor orders can be performed by any deputed lay person, as I have done in our diocese as lector and altar server, this time I was further conforming my priestly heart to that of Jesus Christ.

It was Sunday, Feb. 23, when I joyfully processed into Mass with my alb and cincture. I stood when the candidates were asked to step forward and our names were called. Then I proceeded to kneel in front of Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, who prayed, “Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.” My eyes fixed on the golden ciborium, I returned the hosts and said, “Amen.”

At the end of Mass, Archbishop Augustine Di Noia walked around congratulating us, and asked, “Now, what’s next?”

Whether it was a rhetorical question and he was expecting to hear “priestly ordination,” I answered in a more immediate sense, “Steak and eggs!”

So why does the Pontifical North American College, where I study, celebrate this day with a steak-and-egg brunch? It is an important day as a step not only toward the priesthood, but leadership in the Church. Any deputed lay minister can perform similar duties, but as a duly instituted acolyte the Church prefers me to take the lead over another layperson – at the discretion of the local pastor. This ministry is an explicit push in my continuous formation to serve others. I am called to take an active, primary role in the life of the liturgy. This is all according to the 1972 document by Pope Paul VI called “Ministeria Quaedam,” and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (187-193), which define the ministry and proper functions of acolyte.

Defined as the proper duties of an acolyte are altar serving, serving as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, purifying vessels, leading a Communion service, exposing the Blessed Sacrament, and being an instructor of the faithful in performing similar duties. I have performed and seen lay ministers perform these duties in our local churches, and so wish to extend and share my gratitude and celebration to all local lay Church leaders. May God keep giving us his inspiration and grace to serve others.