Peter Van Lieshout, a DOR seminarian at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, was instituted to the Ministry of Acolyte during the celebration of the Eucharist yesterday.  Peter was part of a group of 53 seminarians to receive this ministry.

His Eminence James Francis Cardinal Stafford, Major Penitentiary Emeritus and former Archbishop of Denver, celebrated the Mass and instituted the new acolytes. After handing to each seminarian the gold paten used in the celebration of the Eucharist, the Cardinal said, “Take this vessel of bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your lives worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.”

These seminarians have now received both the ministry of Lector and Acolyte in anticipation of their diaconal ordinations and, God-willing, priestly ordination. As the rite indicates, an acolyte is charged with assisting at the celebration of the Eucharist, purifying the sacred vessels and when needed to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion.

Story here.  Photos here.

Tags: Catholic = Epic, Liturgy, Orthodoxy at Work

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