MINISTRY OF ACOLYTE by Peter Schineller, S.J. 1.

History of this Ministry: Before Vatican II, there were FOUR MINOR ORDERS, lector, exorcist, acolyte and porter. There was also subdiaconate. These were required before one could receive the Sacrament of Orders as a deacon or priest. Vatican II called for the revision of sacraments and liturgy. The revisions came about because almost no one performed the ministries of porter, exorcist, and indeed, even lector. Pope Paul VI issued the defining document in 972, the Motu Proprio entitled Ministeria Quaedam. This eliminated minor orders completely, eliminated tonsure and subdiaconate. He established two offices of reader and acolyte, which will include the functions of the subdiaconate. Paul VI Norms regarding the Holy order of Deacons. 1972 It is especially fitting that the ministries of reader and acolyte should be entrusted to those who, as candidates for sacred orders, desire to devote themselves to God and to the Church in a special way. Both by study and by gradual exercise of the ministry of the word and of the altar, candidates for sacred orders should through intimate contact understand and reflect upon the double aspect of the priestly office In this way, candidates are to approach holy orders fully aware of their vocation, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, constant in prayer, and aware of the needs of the faithful. 2. Candidates for the permanent deaconate and for the deaconate leading to the presbyterate, as well as candidates for the presbyterate itself, are to receive the ministries of reader and acolyte, unless they have already done so, and are to exercise them for a fitting time, in order to be better disposed for the future service of the word and of the altar. Code of Canon Law No. 1035. There should be at least six months between being installed as an acolyte and being ordained as a deacon. Comments on Ministeria Quaedam. According to Pope Paul VI, these are not so much a share in the priesthood of ordained priests, but ministries for the laity, who by Baptism share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. They are seen as a good preparation for priesthood, but not so much as a stage in the process towards ordination. They do have canonical status, and have a special Rite of Installation. In some ways, Paul VI was dismantling a clerical system that had existed for centuries by emphasizing non-clerical, lay ministries. But the surprise or irony is that these two ministries are very rarely given to laity, and almost exclusively are given to seminarians on the path to ordination. While there are many lay men (and women) serving as readers and ministers of Communion, they are usually commissioned in a parish, by a parish priest. They are not officially installed by the ordinary (bishop). 2. How does one become an acolyte? It is conferred, by institution rather than ordination. One does not become a cleric by being instituted as a Reader. ministries may be committed to lay Christians; hence they are no longer to be considered as reserved to candidates for the sacrament of orders. As a matter of fact, very few strictly lay persons are readers or acolytes in the sense of instituted. Many serve in those capacities (altar servers, lay readers, through simple commissioning by the parish priest, or even without that commissioning. The Rite of Institution would be not a sacrament (as is Orders) but a sacramental. The ministries are conferred by the ordinary (the bishop, and in clerical institutes, the major superior). Requirements: a) a petition freely made out and signed (Cf. Form) b) suitable age and special qualities to be determined by the Episcopal conference c) a firm will to give faithful service to God and the Christian people. Only men can become stable, readers (and acolytes) even if women can become temporary readers and altar servers.

3. Function, Responsibilities of the Acolyte (the word itself means attendant, follower, accompanier) From Ministeria Quaedam In the same extraordinary circumstances (= no priest is available) he may be entrusted with publicly exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration by the faithful and afterward replacing it, but not with blessing the people. He may also to the extent needed, take care of instructing

other faithful who by temporary appointment assist the priest or deacon in liturgical celebrations He will perform these functions more worthily if he participates in the holy eucharist with increasingly fervent piety, receives nourishment from it and deepens his knowledge of it. Destined as he is in a special way for the service of the altar, the acolyte should learn all matters concerning public divine worship and strive to grasp their inner spiritual meaning in a way that he will be able each day to offer himself entirely to God, be an example to all by his seriousness and reverence in the sacred building, and have a sincere love for the Mystical Body of Christ, the people of God, especially the weak and the sick. From the General Instruction on the Roman Missal No. 98. The acolyte is instituted to serve at the altar and to assist the priest and deacon. In particular, it is for him to prepare the altar and the vessels, and if it is necessary, as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, to give communion to the faithful. In the ministry of the altar, the acolyte has special duties (see nos. 187-193) which he alone ought to perform. Nos. 187-93 Functions of the Acolyte Carry the cross in procession, presents the book to the priest or deacon whenever necessary, prepare the altar at the Presentation of the Gifts, helps the priest in receiving the gifts of the people. Assists the priest in incensing, then he incenses the people. No. 192. Likewise, a formally instituted acolyte helps the priest or deacon to cleanse and arrange the vessels after communion. In the absence of a deacon, the acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the side and purifies, wipes and arranges them in the customary manner. No. 100. In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be designated for service at the altar and to assist the priest and the deacons. They may carry the cross, candles, ashes, censer, bread, wine and water. From the Rite of Installation - Homily of the Bishop Because you are specially called to this ministry, you should strive to live more fully by the Lords sacrifice and to be molded more perfectly in its likeness. You should seek to understand the deep spiritual meaning of what you do, so that you may offer yourselves daily to God as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to him through Jesus Christ. In performing your ministry, bear in mind that as you share one bread with your brothers and sisters, so you form one body with them. Show a sincere love for Christs mystical Body, Gods holy people, and especially for the weak and the sick 4. Further Reflections: Know the Mass, structure, parts, Know the Eucharist - history of frequency (Pope St. Pius X) different words that speak of Mass and Eucharist Laws of fast before Communion; One hour, from food and drink, except water. (one hour from Communion, not from beginning of Mass). For the sick, 15 minutes is recommended, but this is not strictly demanded. Those attending the sick also need not fast Communion to the Sick - how to administer Cf. Handbook for Special Ministers. Ministry = service - responsibility 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Gifts that Differ Lay Ministries Established and Unestablished, David N. Power Documents of Vatican II - on Liturgy, Documents of Pope Paul VI Ministeria Quaedam Immensae Caritatis Instruction on Facilitating Sacramental Eucharistic Communion in particular circumstances Handbook for Special Ministers of Communion, Peter Schineller, S.J. General Instruction on the Roman Missal Code of Canon Law Nos. 230 and 1035