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December 13, 2018
Men studying for the priesthood were instituted as lectors and acolytes Nov. 7 at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park. San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Christian, OP, was principal celebrant and installed the men in their new roles. The installed seminarians are from the archdioceses of Agaña and San Francisco, the dioceses of Fresno, Honolulu, Oakland, Portland, Sacramento, Santa Rosa and Spokane, and The Contemplatives of St. Joseph.
“Lectors are responsible for proclaiming the readings of Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel reading,” said Stephen Terlizzi, director of marketing and communications, on the seminary website in a blogpost about the rite. Lectors may also announce the prayers of the faithful and proclaim the psalm. Acolytes assist at liturgies, prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, when necessary, act as extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.
The Archdiocese of San Francisco had three seminarians installed as acolytes and one Contemplative of St. Joseph whose provincial house is in South San Francisco: Gerardo Vazquez, Jerald Geronimo, James Precobb, and Contemplative of St. Joseph Brother Francis Coyne. An additional eight acolytes and nine lectors were also installed.
A prayer before the installation tells the new acolytes: “Dear sons in Christ, as people chosen for the ministry of acolyte, you will have a special role in the Church’s ministry. The summit and source of the church’s life is the Eucharist, which builds up the Christian community and makes it grow. It is your responsibility to assist priests and deacons in carrying out their ministry, and as special ministers to give holy Communion to the faithful at the liturgy and to the sick. Because you are specially called to this ministry, you should strive to live more fully by the Lord’s sacrifice and to be molded more perfectly in its likeness.”