15 seminarians installed as lectors, acolytes as part of priestly formation

Lansing Bishop Earl A. Boyea installs nine Sacred Heart seminarians as acolytes, six as lectors during Oct. 30 Mass at seminary

DETROIT — Surrounded by family and friends, 15 seminarians gathered in the Sacred Heart Major Seminary Chapel on the evening of Oct. 30 to receive new ministries as the next step on their journeys toward the priesthood.

Diocese of Lansing Bishop Earl A. Boyea presided over the Mass of the institution for lectors and acolytes. Nine third-year seminarians were installed for the ministry of acolyte, and six second-year seminarians were installed as lectors.

As explained by Detroit Catholic in 2024, the two ministries — which until 1972 were considered “minor orders” — represent a significant step in the formation of a seminarian, following candidacy, which is conferred upon entering the school of theology.

Pope St. Paul VI reformed the ministries of lector and acolyte in the modern Church with his 1972 apostolic letter Ministeria Quaedam, directing that they be given to candidates for holy orders as part of their formation.

The lay ministries confer on the seminarians an instituted office with responsibilities that, in the modern Church, are often filled by volunteers — for instance, serving at the altar or proclaiming Scripture during Mass — highlighting the nature of their vocation and commitment to growing as disciples of Christ and servants of his Church.

While the ministries of lector and acolyte are open to all laypeople, they are most commonly conferred upon candidates for ordination as a way to reflect their deepening formation and service to the Gospel and the sacraments.

Among the roles fulfilled by a lector include carrying the book of the Gospels and reading from the ambo during Mass, while acolytes assist in the preparation of the altar and aid the priest or deacon in the celebration of the liturgy.

“My sons and brothers, these great ministeries are meant for us to proclaim God's word so that hearts will burn within others and to stand as fellow sinners serving others in all humility so as to draw them to Jesus Himself,” Bishop Boyea explained.

In order to be servants of the word, Bishop Boyea told the candidates for the ministries of lector and acolyte that they must follow the example of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and John and consume the word.

We must consume that word in all its sweetness and bitterness,” Bishop Boyea said. “In this word, we must find our sustenance, our hope, and our strength; it is only on the word of God that you will give you life.”

To prepare themselves for these ministries and to be servants of the word, lectors must first allow the word of God to stir within their innermost being, so that their hearts burn within them, allowing “you only to speak what God wants said and when he wants it said,” Bishop Boyea said.

The acolytes must face their own sinfulness and, with humility, approach the Bread of Life in full communion with their fellow believers.

“We must keep our focus on Jesus as one who repeatedly describes himself as ‘I am,’” Bishop Boyea said. “Still, we also know that our ministry at the altar will always be done in weakness, and that it is precisely at that point that the power of God is revealed. We know this since we minister as agents of and in the church, a church in which many have difficulty believing – perhaps even ourselves at times– that this spotless bride of Christ comprises all of us sinners.

“We, too, my sons and brothers, are sinners, and as such, we will always be with this ministry, the sinful face of the bride of Christ,” Bishop Boyea continued. “This will be a challenge for us. Every time we stand to serve our fellow believers at the altar, we’ve been called to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.”