About Lectors and Acolytes

[Salah]

Hi, am Salah. I came across CAF while searching an answer to a serious question.Yes am catholic. Now my question is: Can anyone else, apart from a Bishop, institute Lectors and Acolytes? I am not talking about a clerical institute where the Major Superior can do it. Can a Bishop delegate a priest to carry out this function?

 

[Sailka]

Hi, am Salah. I came across CAF while searching an answer to a serious question.Yes am catholic. Now my question is: Can anyone else, apart from a Bishop, institute Lectors and Acolytes? I am not talking about a clerical institute where the Major Superior can do it. Can a Bishop delegate a priest to carry out this function?

                                                                                           I may be mistaken, but I think the local Pastor of each Church can select, briefly train, and use both, through his staff. Local parish lectors only read the OT or NT  readings of the day, lead Intercession prayer requests.  Acolytes are Altar servers who carry the Traditional Candles during processions.

We still are very much as in first centuries. The Pastor is like the “Elder” or Bishop of each Parish, subjerct to the local Diocesan Bishop.
Live in Jesus. Tony

 

[jenkiedad]

Salah, you can also go to the “Encyclopedia” at Catholic.com. [There should be a link at the top of this page.] The context of your question has a lot to do with the meaning; i.e., Western Church or Eastern Church; Modern Church or Early Church.

For the “Modern Church”, altar servers often perform the tasks of an acolyte. Some parishes even refer to their altar servers as “acolytes”. Also, lectors are basically clerks that are trained to read the Old Testament (OT), New Testament (NT), Responsorial Psalms, etc., but not the Gospel.

In the “Early Church”, lectors and acolytes referred to minor orders within the Latin Church.

 

[Corki]

In the “Early Church”, lectors and acolytes referred to minor orders within the Latin Church.

Although the minor orders were supressed, technically a Lector is the term reserved for a seminarian who is instituted to do the readings prior to becoming a transitional Deacon.

We just started an acolyte training program in our diocese. Our Archbishop does the instituting of the Acolytes but I don’t know if this is reserved to the Ordinary or not.

The term “Lector” is often misapplied when referring to lay readers who can be chosen and trained at the parish level.

 

[btdn]

Although the minor orders were supressed, technically a Lector is the term reserved for a seminarian who is instituted to do the readings prior to becoming a transitional Deacon.

We just started an acolyte training program in our diocese. Our Archbishop does the instituting of the Acolytes but I don’t know if this is reserved to the Ordinary or not.

While it is true that the ministries of lector and acolyte are usually, almost always actually, only given to seminarians, it need not be.

The institution is reserved to the ordinary.

See Paul VI’s motu proprio on the subject.

 

[Cristiano]

The best way to get the information is to go the the Vatican web site and read the motu proprio “[Ad Pascendum](Ad Pascendum)” by Paul VI. However, it is only in Italian, Latin or Portughese.

If you read the motu prorpio you can see that those positions are reserved for aspirants to the Diaconate (permanent or transitional). Only the Bishop or the Superior in religious orders can institute them (points 1 & 2).

Today the acolytes are still instituted by the Bishops but the process is not common to too many dioceses. On the other side it is common for the pastor of a parish to “commission” adult altar servers and readers that end up being called acolytes and lectors.

 

[Sailka]

While it is true that the ministries of lector and acolyte are usually, almost always actually, only given to seminarians, it need not be.

The institution is reserved to the ordinary.

See [Paul VI’s motu proprio (http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P6MINORS.HTM) on the subject.

Yes, “Lectors” and “Acolytes” depends on what context we are speaking. Am speaking local Parish. Are also Seminaries, Diocese, Archdiocese, Basillicas, the Vatican.
In our very traditional Parish, our Pastor has really encouraged youth involvment, by having young ladies age 8 or older as lectors. Great idea, and great readings.

How many know there are several steps in the consecrated Priesthood? Recently learned that the Papcy is the final step in the Earthly Priesthood.
Vivat Jesus. Tony

 

[Corki]

While it is true that the ministries of lector and acolyte are usually, almost always actually, only given to seminarians, it need not be.

The institution is reserved to the ordinary.

See Paul VI’s motu proprio on the subject.

As I said, our diocese now institutes acolytes - they are not seminarians. I have not ever heard of instituted lay lectors and have been told that that is why we were supposed to call the readers at the parish “readers”.

Learn something new everyday.

 

[Cristiano]

…In our very traditional Parish, our Pastor has really encouraged youth involvment, by having young ladies age 8 or older as lectors. Great idea, and great readings…

It might be a very traditional parish but those are commisioned readers and not instituted lectors. Only men can be instituted as lectors.

 

[Sailka]

It might be a very traditional parish but those are commisioned readers and not instituted lectors. Only men can be instituted as lectors.

Thank you for the technical correction . Was up until 3 AM on this great website! have become addicted to it. Do slip up occassionally! Our Parish has tripled in membership from 3.000 January to 10,000 now.
CORRECTION of Record!: We grew by about 330 % this year.

Vivat Jesus. Tony

 

[marchoi]

Yes, “Lectors” and “Acolytes” depends on what context we are speaking. Am speaking local Parish. Are also Seminaries, Diocese, Archdiocese, Basillicas, the Vatican.
In our very traditional Parish, our Pastor has really encouraged youth involvment, by having young ladies age 8 or older as lectors. Great idea, and great readings.

How many know there are several steps in the consecrated Priesthood? Recently learned that the Papcy is the final step in the Earthly Priesthood.
Vivat Jesus. Tony

My understanding is that the Orders of Lector and Acolyte can only be instituted upon those studying for the priesthood. The laity is permitted to perform the tasks of a Lector and an Acolyte, but I don’t think that just anyone can be instituted as a Lector and an Acolyte. Yes, our parishes use “lectors” and servers, but not in the strictest sense.

Also, the Papacy (I assume) is not “the final step” of the priesthood. There are three orders of the priesthood - diaconate (deaconate), presbyterate (priests), and the episcopacy (bishops). A bishop, by virtue of his consecration, has the “fullness” of the priesthood. There is no further ordination or consecration to the Papacy.

 

[Phemie]

My understanding is that the Orders of Lector and Acolyte can only be instituted upon those studying for the priesthood. The laity is permitted to perform the tasks of a Lector and an Acolyte, but I don’t think that just anyone can be instituted as a Lector and an Acolyte. Yes, our parishes use “lectors” and servers, but not in the strictest sense.

Lector and Acolyte are not Orders but instituted ministries

Can. 230 §1. Lay men who possess the age and qualifications established by decree of the conference of bishops can be admitted on a stable basis through the prescribed liturgical rite to the ministries of lector and acolyte.

Now, it’s true that in many dioceses the bishops have decreed that only those who are seeking ordination to the diaconate (permanent or transitional) are eligible but Canon Law in no way limits these instituted ministries to men seeking ordination.

 

[marchoi]

Phemie: Upon consultation of the Code of Canon Law (as you have cited) and Paul VI’s motu proprio Ministeria quaedam, I hereby state that I stand corrected.

“2. What up to now were called minor orders are henceforth to be called ministries.
3. Ministries may be assigned to lay Christians; hence they are no longer to be considered as reserved to candidates for the sacrament of orders.” - Ministeria quaedam

A tip of the hat to you.

What I’m thinking of is that, in order for a seminarian to proceed through studies for the priesthood, he has to be instituted into the ministries of lector and acolyte.

 

[Sailka]

My understanding is that the Orders of Lector and Acolyte can only be instituted upon those studying for the priesthood. The laity is permitted to perform the tasks of a Lector and an Acolyte, but I don’t think that just anyone can be instituted as a Lector and an Acolyte. Yes, our parishes use “lectors” and servers, but not in the strictest sense.

Also, the Papacy (I assume) is not “the final step” of the priesthood. There are three orders of the priesthood - diaconate (deaconate), presbyterate (priests), and the episcopacy (bishops). A bishop, by virtue of his consecration, has the “fullness” of the priesthood. There is no further ordination or consecration to the Papacy.

Semantics and terminology again. I have heard the Papacy as the 4th order of the Earthly Priesthood. He is selected by the Lord, as His Vicar on Earth, through the Cardinals. He selects who will be Bishops, of our Eastern Brothers also. He is no longer a member of the Magesterium, but signs off on the Magesterium in establishing Canon Law, Etc. And the Holy Father is the only Catholic/Universal word on Morality and Faith. And if the Pope is not officially ‘Installed’ As the Pope, bar emergencies, he remains as Bishop, with the authority of a Bishop. Several steps are required to select, install a new Pope. Aware that the Pope takes 3 vows of being a Servant, a Bishop 2?
Vivat Jesus Tony

 

[marchoi]

Semantics and terminology again. I have heard the Papacy as the 4th order of the Earthly Priesthood. He is selected by the Lord, as His Vicar on Earth, through the Cardinals. He selects who will be Bishops, of our Eastern Brothers also. He is no longer a member of the Magesterium, but signs off on the Magesterium in establishing Canon Law, Etc. And the Holy Father is the only Catholic/Universal word on Morality and Faith. And if the Pope is not officially ‘Installed’ As the Pope, bar emergencies, he remains as Bishop, with the authority of a Bishop. Several steps are required to select, install a new Pope. Aware that the Pope takes 3 vows of being a Servant, a Bishop 2?
Vivat Jesus Tony

How about starting a new thread on this, for the sake of not derailing the current one? I’ll get on it.

 

[Cristiano]

Lector and Acolyte are not Orders but instituted ministries…
Now, it’s true that in many dioceses the bishops have decreed that only those who are seeking ordination to the diaconate (permanent or transitional) are eligible but Canon Law in no way limits these instituted ministries to men seeking ordination.

You are correct. The motu proprio Ad Pascendi states that:
"In particolare conviene che i ministeri di lettore e di accolito siano affidati a coloro che, come candidati all’ordine del diaconato o del presbiterato, desiderano consacrarsi in modo speciale a Dio ed alla chiesa. "

It is particularly appropriate that the ministries of lector and acolyte are assigned to those who, as candidates to the order of deacon or presbyter, are wishing to consecrate themselves in a special manner to God and to the church.
(my translation because the document is not available in English)

That implies that there is not discrimination against lay men that will not pursue the ordination.

 

[Salah]

Thanks very much guys. Wow, that was lively. I’ll try Ad Pascendum, but I think I have the answer I seek now.

Once more, thanks. I love you guys.

 

[John_Lilburne]

… Now my question is: Can anyone else, apart from a Bishop, institute Lectors and Acolytes? I am not talking about a clerical institute where the Major Superior can do it. Can a Bishop delegate a priest to carry out this function?

From the official texts it seems to require a bishop. For example from the 1972 Motu Proprio Ministeria Quaedam: “IX. The ministries are conferred by the Ordinary (the bishop and, in clerical institutes, the major superior) through the liturgical rite …”. From the ceremony: “1. The bishop or the major superior of a clerical religious institute carries out the institution of readers, …”.

But Cardinal Knox wrote:

“The issue involved is one of ministries (of reader or of acolyte) and not of holy orders; their conferral or institution belongs to an Ordinary. Therefore, he has the power to delegate without an indult from the Apostolic See.”

(From the book “Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979”, Liturgical Press, Minnesota, 1982, ISBN 0-8146-1281-4, page 916. It quotes a letter of Cardinal J.R. Knox to Bishop R. Coffy President of the bishops’ committee on liturgy. The letter is dated 7 June 1974 and was in French.)

Cardinal Knox became Prefect of the Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship on 1 August 1975 (from catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bknox.html ).

I have not found anything more formal than this letter saying a bishop does not need to be the one doing the institution. My opinion is that the official liturgical books are clear about it being by a bishop. They should be followed, rather than the opinion of Cardinal Knox as expressed in the letter.

 

[otjm]

From the official texts it seems to require a bishop. For example from the 1972 Motu Proprio Ministeria Quaedam: “IX. The ministries are conferred by the Ordinary (the bishop and, in clerical institutes, the major superior) through the liturgical rite …”. From the ceremony: “1. The bishop or the major superior of a clerical religious institute carries out the institution of readers, …”.

But Cardinal Knox wrote:

“The issue involved is one of ministries (of reader or of acolyte) and not of holy orders; their conferral or institution belongs to an Ordinary. Therefore, he has the power to delegate without an indult from the Apostolic See.”

(From the book “Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979”, Liturgical Press, Minnesota, 1982, ISBN 0-8146-1281-4, page 916. It quotes a letter of Cardinal J.R. Knox to Bishop R. Coffy President of the bishops’ committee on liturgy. The letter is dated 7 June 1974 and was in French.)

Cardinal Knox became Prefect of the Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship on 1 August 1975 (from catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bknox.html ).

I have not found anything more formal than this letter saying a bishop does not need to be the one doing the institution. My opinion is that the official liturgical books are clear about it being by a bishop. They should be followed, rather than the opinion of Cardinal Knox as expressed in the letter.

Given the fact that the sacrament of Confirmation can be delegated to the parish priest, it would not seem out of reason totally that the institution of a lector or acolyte could be also delegated. However, given the fact the there may only be less than a handful of bishops who actually institute anyone (Vasa being one of them, I believe), the question would almost seem to be moot.

 

[Aramis]

Given the fact that the sacrament of Confirmation can be delegated to the parish priest, it would not seem out of reason totally that the institution of a lector or acolyte could be also delegated. However, given the fact the there may only be less than a handful of bishops who actually institute anyone (Vasa being one of them, I believe), the question would almost seem to be moot.

Outside the Easter Triduum, it requires specific letters of authorization for specific candidates to be confirmed.

One can assume no less strict a requirement for instituting Lectors and Acolytes.

Installing lay readers and lay altar servers is specifically within the competence of the pastors (within the US, at least)…

Relevant Canon Law on Lectors and Acolytes:
Can. 230 §1. Lay men who possess the age and qualifications established by decree of the conference of bishops can be admitted on a stable basis through the prescribed liturgical rite to the ministries of lector and acolyte.

Nevertheless, the conferral of these ministries does not grant them the right to obtain support or remuneration from the Church.

§2. Lay persons can fulfill the function of lector in liturgical actions by temporary designation. All lay persons can also perform the functions of commentator or cantor, or other functions, according to the norm of law.

§3. When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply certain of their duties, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside offer liturgical prayers, to confer baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion, according to the prescripts of the law.

Can. 231 §1. Lay persons who permanently or temporarily devote themselves to special service of the Church are obliged to acquire the appropriate formation required to fulfill their function properly and to carry out this function conscientiously, eagerly, and diligently.

§2. Without prejudice to the prescript of ⇒ can. 230, §1 and with the prescripts of civil law having been observed, lay persons have the right to decent remuneration appropriate to their condition so that they are able to provide decently for their own needs and those of their family. They also have a right for their social provision, social security, and health benefits to be duly provided.

Can. 910 §1. The ordinary minister of holy communion is a bishop, presbyter, or deacon.

§2. The extraordinary minister of holy communion is an acolyte or another member of the Christian faithful designated according to the norm of ⇒ can. 230, §3.

Can. 943 The minister of exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament and of eucharistic benediction is a priest or deacon; in special circumstances, the minister of exposition and reposition alone without benediction is the acolyte, extraordinary minister of holy communion, or someone else designated by the local ordinary; the prescripts of the diocesan bishop are to be observed.

Can. 1035 §1. Before anyone is promoted to the permanent or transitional diaconate, he is required to have received the ministries of lector and acolyte and to have exercised them for a suitable period of time.

§2. There is to be an interval of at least six months between the conferral of the ministry of acolyte and the diaconate.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM