Acolyte?

[Benedict_MAC]

I’m 33 years old and recently began to help as an altar server. I have two minor children and my marriage has been annulled. I have recently been feeling a strong call to the priesthood. My parish priest strongly agrees that it seems like an appropriate path for me. Our Archbishop, however seems to have had a strong policy against divorced men (even with an annulment.) I remain in prayer as to what to do in this matter, and (as my youngest of two is only 10 right now) I have plenty of time to discern.

The altar servers in our parish usually where a white alb with cincture of the liturgical color, however my parish priest has asked me to start wearing a cassock and surplice as he feels this more appropriately reflects my role. He says that I am more like an “acolyte”, but I’m unsure if this choice is appropriate. I have recently seen information regarding the “acolyte” as a step during formation for deacons and priests, but have also heard reference to bishops installing permanent “acolytes.” Is this something that the Archbishop might consider?

Thank you for any thoughts, positive or negative!

 

[In_All_Things]

I know that some bishops do install acolytes who are not in priestly formation so that is a possibility… sadly mine does not I will pray for you and your discernment.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I’m 33 years old and recently began to help as an altar server. I have two minor children and my marriage has been annulled. I have recently been feeling a strong call to the priesthood. My parish priest strongly agrees that it seems like an appropriate path for me. Our Archbishop, however seems to have had a strong policy against divorced men (even with an annulment.) I remain in prayer as to what to do in this matter, and (as my youngest of two is only 10 right now) I have plenty of time to discern.

The altar servers in our parish usually where a white alb with cincture of the liturgical color, however my parish priest has asked me to start wearing a cassock and surplice as he feels this more appropriately reflects my role. He says that I am more like an “acolyte”, but I’m unsure if this choice is appropriate. I have recently seen information regarding the “acolyte” as a step during formation for deacons and priests, but have also heard reference to bishops installing permanent “acolytes.” Is this something that the Archbishop might consider?

Thank you for any thoughts, positive or negative!

A man who is not destined for the priesthood may be instituted into the ministry of Acolyte. It is rarely conferred, however, on any one other than seminarians. Therefore, is nothing to prevent you from approaching your bishop on this matter. The alb is fitting to all those who serve in the sanctuary. It is a reminder of their baptismal garment. It is more appropriate to reserve cassock and surplice to the clergy.

 

[YoungTradCath]

You can look in to joining any of the various groups of priests who are not diocesan priests. For example, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter or the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, both of which are groups dedicated to lawfully preserving the liturgy according to the Missal of 1962 (that is, from before the Second Vatican Council). These groups are primarily liturgical in their specific identity.

Then you have the religious orders like the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Dominicans, Franciscans, etc. I don’t think this is a particularly feasible idea since you have children, and priests in religious orders take vows of poverty, and so you would have no way of taking care of them.

The only thing I really see impeding you (although I’m not sure this is the right word given the situation) is your children. I’ve never heard of a man with kids going to seminary. There are certainly priests who are also fathers, but whose children are already grown by the time they enter seminary.

 

[Benedict_MAC]

You can look in to joining any of the various groups of priests who are not diocesan priests. For example, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter or the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, both of which are groups dedicated to lawfully preserving the liturgy according to the Missal of 1962 (that is, from before the Second Vatican Council). These groups are primarily liturgical in their specific identity.

Then you have the religious orders like the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Dominicans, Franciscans, etc. I don’t think this is a particularly feasible idea since you have children, and priests in religious orders take vows of poverty, and so you would have no way of taking care of them.

The only thing I really see impeding you (although I’m not sure this is the right word given the situation) is your children. I’ve never heard of a man with kids going to seminary. There are certainly priests who are also fathers, but whose children are already grown by the time they enter seminary.

I am perfectly willing to wait until my children have grown. I don’t expect others to have to support them. This is why I am looking for a way to make a more permanent commitment to the church in the mean time. I have 8 more years.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Call your diocesean vocations office and speak to the director. No one but the bishop or his appointed vocations people know what he will consider.

In the meantime, continue to serve at your church. Consider lay groups like Legion of Mary or KofC who perform service within the parish. Who trains or schedules the other altar servers? Maybe you can take that role?

Have you considered the permanent diaconate?

 

[YoungTradCath]

I am perfectly willing to wait until my children have grown. I don’t expect others to have to support them. This is why I am looking for a way to make a more permanent commitment to the church in the mean time. I have 8 more years.

I suggest, as the above poster does, to fervently pursue your diocesan vocations office. Do whatever they ask of you. Go on discernment retreats if it is feasible. Talk to your parish priest deeply about this subject, he can help you a lot.

There are many ways to become a priest, as there are many kinds of priests. I don’t know how deep you are in your faith right now, but, to the point of my suggestions sounding unnecessary, go to mass as much as possible and pray a lot. Temptation is hard, but try hard to live a chaste life. That is, unless you decide to marry another woman. If you don’t have one, get either a Liturgy of the Hours set or a Breviary. They are basically the same thing, but the Breviary is more traditional. Both are books (or sets) that are the primary prayer of the Church besides mass, and absolutely all priests and mostly all seminarians I’ve heard of are required to pray it, as well as anyone such as a sister, friar, monk, etc. This is an extremely valuable tool.

Only your receiving group (diocese or otherwise) decides how old your children must be before they will accept you, so keep that in mind.

I suggest trying to figure out what kind of priest you want to be. Do you want to be a diocesan priest? Do you want to be a religious priest (that is, in an order)? Do you want to be a priest of one of the many groups who perpetuates the traditional 1962 Missal?

The first and last types are secular priests. That is, they get paid and they get to own property, and their bishop doesn’t get to dictate their personal lives. The second type are not paid, or if they are, the money is communal and goes to their order, and their superiors can go so far as to dictate what accent they are allowed to speak in if they want to.

There are spiritual fruits to be gained from both kinds of priests, but if you have children, I imagine it would be harder as a religious priest. But that might just be what you want to do.

As far as the cassock and surplice goes, I’d feel privileged, especially if that’s not commonly worn in your parish. It doesn’t really mean anything, but clearly the priest sees something in you or else he wouldn’t make the visual distinction. The Church needs priests!

 

[TimothyH]

I am perfectly willing to wait until my children have grown. I don’t expect others to have to support them. This is why I am looking for a way to make a more permanent commitment to the church in the mean time. I have 8 more years.

I am in a similar situation and spoke to my parish pastor about this. My situation is that with 11 and 14 year old children at 48 years of age, I will be beyond the age where I may be accepted (50) by the time my kids are able to fend for themselves.

You may want to look into secular order (SFO) or lay assocation with the Dominicans or Carmelites, or as an Oblate to a Benedictine monastery in the mean time and it would not prevent you from becoming a priest later on.

Have you thought about the diaconate?

-Tim-

 

[Benedict_MAC]

I suggest, as the above poster does, to fervently pursue your diocesan vocations office. Do whatever they ask of you. Go on discernment retreats if it is feasible. Talk to your parish priest deeply about this subject, he can help you a lot.

There are many ways to become a priest, as there are many kinds of priests. I don’t know how deep you are in your faith right now, but, to the point of my suggestions sounding unnecessary, go to mass as much as possible and pray a lot. Temptation is hard, but try hard to live a chaste life. That is, unless you decide to marry another woman. If you don’t have one, get either a Liturgy of the Hours set or a Breviary. They are basically the same thing, but the Breviary is more traditional. Both are books (or sets) that are the primary prayer of the Church besides mass, and absolutely all priests and mostly all seminarians I’ve heard of are required to pray it, as well as anyone such as a sister, friar, monk, etc. This is an extremely valuable tool.

Only your receiving group (diocese or otherwise) decides how old your children must be before they will accept you, so keep that in mind.

I suggest trying to figure out what kind of priest you want to be. Do you want to be a diocesan priest? Do you want to be a religious priest (that is, in an order)? Do you want to be a priest of one of the many groups who perpetuates the traditional 1962 Missal?

The first and last types are secular priests. That is, they get paid and they get to own property, and their bishop doesn’t get to dictate their personal lives. The second type are not paid, or if they are, the money is communal and goes to their order, and their superiors can go so far as to dictate what accent they are allowed to speak in if they want to.

There are spiritual fruits to be gained from both kinds of priests, but if you have children, I imagine it would be harder as a religious priest. But that might just be what you want to do.

As far as the cassock and surplice goes, I’d feel privileged, especially if that’s not commonly worn in your parish. It doesn’t really mean anything, but clearly the priest sees something in you or else he wouldn’t make the visual distinction. The Church needs priests!

Thank you for all these wonderful suggestions…I would like to give you some additional information, that is to say that I have already done most of these things. I attend Mass daily and serve whenever I can. We have a Deacon who attends the same daily Mass that I go to, and his children often come with him and serve. As much as I enjoy serving, I have a hard time taking that away from the kids.

I have also been trying for several months to develop the habit of praying the Liturgy of the Hours…I usually do at least morning, evening, and night prayer.

I have remained celibate since the mother of my children from whom I have now be separated for 4 years. Our marriage was declared invalid 2 weeks ago.

I have been told by both the office of the diaconate, and the archdiocesan vocation director that “Our current Archbishop will not accept anyone who has been divorced, even with an annulment.” They all seem to emphasize the “current” part, as though I should just hold out for the next one or something.

I feel extremely honored by my priests request for me to wear the cassock and surplice, and our parish just got some in this week (from which he had me find one that fits and set it to the side) for the altar servers to wear at funeral Masses. However we have three seminarians from our parish right now, and I’m nervous about peoples reaction (unless others start wearing them regularly) as though I’m trying to misrepresent myself. I have only worn it for two days now, and there has been no ill reception, but with 2,000 families in our parish, it is sure to come. I have never served at a Sunday Mass, but I am an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Sometimes I wind up accidentally doing both on a weekday or Saturday, and felt that if I was “installed as an acolyte” this would make an official distinction and allow me to do both as well as have an answer for those who question Fathers choice.

I have also considered a nearby Benedictine monastery. I have many things to consider and a lot of prayer ahead.

I am in a similar situation and spoke to my parish pastor about this. My situation is that with 11 and 14 year old children at 48 years of age, I will be beyond the age where I may be accepted (50) by the time my kids are able to fend for themselves.

You may want to look into secular order (SFO) or lay assocation with the Dominicans or Carmelites, or as an Oblate to a Benedictine monastery in the mean time and it would not prevent you from becoming a priest later on.

Have you thought about the diaconate?

-Tim-

I have actually considered joining the Oblates of Conception Abbey. I want to learn more about that.

 

[YoungTradCath]

You have a while before you’re too old for any diocese, order or society of apostolic life to not accept you.

 

[dochawk]

I’m suddenly getting nervous about the cassock Father has me wearing under the sticharion . . .

Our bishop is willing to ordain married men, and has imported at least one married priest so far from Slovenia . . .

(actually, I’d be more than willing, but would have no way to support my children and keep them in catholic schools. Besides, it’s cold in Pittsburgh in the winter!)

hawk, looking about nervously

 

[jimrob]

Unfortunately, the word acolyte has different meanings in different places and we have had long debates on the subject before.

Under the old order, acolyte was one of the stages you passed through on your journey to the priesthood. The acolyte’s role was to take charge of the wine and candles and he was often presented with a ceremonial candle snuffer. After a few weeks, he would become a subdeacon and be sent out to a parish for work experience.

The role of instituted acolyte still exists as part of the journey to the priesthood and permanent diaconate. In many provinces, permanent acolytes are being instituted. An instituted acolyte stands next to the priest at the altar and turns over the pages of the Missal. He is also an ordinary minister of Holy Communion. The GIRM recognises this role but also says that a lay person may carry out these duties if an instituted acolyte is not available.

You are not an instituted acolyte. This is a particular role to which you are ceremonially appointed by your bishop. If he doesn’t think you are suitable material for the priesthood, it’s unlikely that you would be instituted as an acolyte. You are what the GIRM describes as a lay person who carries out the same role - as am I.

The word acolyte means attendant. For many centuries, the candles that accompany the processional cross have been called acolyte candles (they are attendants to the cross rather than an attendant to the priest). By implication, the altar servers carrying them are called acolyte and in some places the word gets used to describe any altar server. That does tend to make questions more contentious

 

[Matthew_Holford]

He is also an ordinary minister of Holy Communion.

May I point out for others who may not know: acolytes are extraordinary ministers of holy communion (cf. Paul VI motu proprio “Ministeria quaedam” 6° (15 VIII 1972); 1983 CIC Can. 910; GIRM #191).

 

[jimrob]

May I point out for others who may not know: acolytes are extraordinary ministers of holy communion (cf. Paul VI motu proprio “Ministeria quaedam” 6° (15 VIII 1972); 1983 CIC Can. 910; GIRM #191).

I stand corrected. Now put that stake down.
That of course means instituted acolyte in the sense used in the GIRM and not acolyte in the sense used by the Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Yes, if an acolyte is ministering Holy Communion, he is an EM. But he is to be the first to be chosen if an EM is needed.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I stand corrected.

I did make the comment generalised not to you personally.

Now put that stake down.

No comment

That of course means instituted acolyte in the sense used in the GIRM and not acolyte in the sense used by the Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen.

Well I presume, without definitely knowing, that the Archconfraternity of St Stephen use the term ‘acolyte’ to refer to altar servers, who are not ministers of Holy Communion unless separately appointed as such.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Yes, if an acolyte is ministering Holy Communion, he is an EM. But he is to be the first to be chosen if an EM is needed.

If by EM you mean Eucharistic Minister then no. That term if reserved to bishops and priests who can confect the Eucharist. Those who administer Holy Communion are called ministers of Holy Communion. Bishops, priest, and deacons are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion and lay folk are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Among these acolytes are ex officio extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and should be the first called on.

 

[Benedict_MAC]

If by EM you mean Eucharistic Minister then no. That term if reserved to bishops and priests who can confect the Eucharist. Those who administer Holy Communion are called ministers of Holy Communion. Bishops, priest, and deacons are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion and lay folk are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Among these acolytes are ex officio extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and should be the first called on.

This brings me back to the point that I was trying to get to. I am under the impression that altar servers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should be separate people. At different Masses I have done both, and I have occasionally done both in the same Mass. The seminarians always do both when they are home.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

This brings me back to the point that I was trying to get to. I am under the impression that altar servers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should be separate people. At different Masses I have done both, and I have occasionally done both in the same Mass. The seminarians always do both when they are home.

I was an altar server a long time ago. I’ve never been an EMHC. Why do you think that their roles should be separated. I ask because I’m interested in your point of viiew.

 

[Benedict_MAC]

I was an altar server a long time ago. I’ve never been an EMHC. Why do you think that their roles should be separated. I ask because I’m interested in your point of viiew.

I thought that I read somewhere that this was the case, but it may just be the way things are done at our parish. I was told at one point that we generally don’t have any one person performing multiple duties, and that when Father has me do it, he is making a mistake. Then I noticed that the seminarians always do both.