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slewi
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Just a simple question: Do they still use and ordain acolytes? I know on the steps to priesthood an acolyte is between exorcist and sub-deacon, but you don’t see the term used any more.
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Brenda_V
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I am not sure but I would guess you would get a better answer from the ‘ask an apologist’ forum or going to EWTN and asking one of the “experts” there.
Brenda V.
Brenda V.
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AltarMan
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Acolytes are not ordained. Acolytes are men (and only men) who are instituted for life by the bishop. Most men are instituted as acolytes today only as a step to the priesthood or permanent diaconate.
The minor orders of porter, exorcist and sub-deacn have been supressed, but men are still instituted as lectors and acolytes on their path to the priesthood or permanent diaconate.
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TableServant
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Though, to my knowledge, exorcist and sub-deacon are no longer used, candidates for Holy Orders are instituted as Lector and Acolyte prior to ordination to the diaconate. As it was explained to my class of deacons, the rites could be used to institute lay ministers (as that is what we were at the time, of course), as Lector and/or Acolyte, but at this time, only those on the path to Holy Orders are so instituted.
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paramedicgirl
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What is the rationalle for supressing these orders?
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AJV
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Dear slewi, The minor orders of exorcist and sub-deacon were suppressed by Pope Paul VI, after the reform of the mass. They are still ordained in the Tridentine usage, though they are merely transitional and those ordained later becom priests. Very commonly, in masses celebrated according to previous missals(indult or otherwise), the role of a subdeacon is assumed by another priest.
Lectors and acolytes are still ordained, but are mostly candidates for the priesthood. AFAIK, very, very few dioceses will install lay people to this ministry (I read somewhere, EWTN, I think) - the diocese of Lincoln does it, but I don’t live in the US so I don’t know. Most parishes subsitute these installed ministers with non installed temporary readers, altar boys and EMHC’s.
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AltarMan
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They are not ordained, they are instituted.
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AltarMan
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Well, porters were originally men that kept watch at the parish doors in order to keep the congregation safe from attack. This is typically not required today, and lay ushers handle the rest of the duties of the porter.
Exorcists are now specially trained priests. This is hardly a job for the layman.
I’m not sure what the function of a subdeacon would be today, except during the celebration of a high Mass in the Tridentine tradition. In this past, the position of subdeacon was often abused – going to the most influential layman and not the most proper one.
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AltarMan
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I will add that at least in many arch(dioceses), men are not permanently installed as lectors or acolytes because doing so would effective bar women from the sanctuary in time. This is also the very reason why many arch(bishops) do not support the ordination of permanent deacons. Ordain enough deacons (or priests!) or install enough lectors and acolytes, and the need for readers or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion would cease.
In a practical sense, readers now do the job of lectors, and altar servers do the job of acolytes in most cases.
In a practical sense, readers now do the job of lectors, and altar servers do the job of acolytes in most cases.
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slewi
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Thanks AltarMan! You just solved the lack of vocations problem!
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decn2b
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still institutes Acolytes and Lectors apart From deaconate and priestly formation.
I have a freind in my parish who moved here from lincoln. (good for us, challenging for him). He is somewhat of a novelty in my diocese as he is the only peroson who has actually been insituted to the two minor orders. In fact I jibe him from time to time about his presence at Mass being a liturgical abuse when he is not the lector.
I believe Canon Law states that in the ABSENSE of an Lector or deacon a reader may be used. When he is at Mass he should be doing the readings.
I have a freind in my parish who moved here from lincoln. (good for us, challenging for him). He is somewhat of a novelty in my diocese as he is the only peroson who has actually been insituted to the two minor orders. In fact I jibe him from time to time about his presence at Mass being a liturgical abuse when he is not the lector.
I believe Canon Law states that in the ABSENSE of an Lector or deacon a reader may be used. When he is at Mass he should be doing the readings.
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cameron_lansing
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The apostolic letter of Paul VI on acolytes and lectors can be obtained at .
This may provide some further helpful information.
The suppression of the sub-deacon was for the Latin Church. I believe that the Antiochene Churches have maintained it.
One of our Eastern Catholics could more competently address this than I though, and I hope perhaps Deacon Ed will see this and respond with expansion.
As a deacon, I even once had the pleasure of being assisted once by a sub-deacon of the Maronite Church at a funeral!
This may provide some further helpful information.
The suppression of the sub-deacon was for the Latin Church. I believe that the Antiochene Churches have maintained it.
One of our Eastern Catholics could more competently address this than I though, and I hope perhaps Deacon Ed will see this and respond with expansion.
As a deacon, I even once had the pleasure of being assisted once by a sub-deacon of the Maronite Church at a funeral!
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Deacon_Ed
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Deacon John is correct, but too limiting. All of the Eastern Catholic Churches retained the subdeacon. The minor orders, however, varied by ritual Church. This coming Saturday I will be attending the ordination of a sub-deacon to the diaconate in the Maronite Church, and a couple of years ago I attended the ordination of a sub-deacon for the Russian Catholic Church in San Francisco.
As was noted in an earlier reply, the minor orders are retained by the FSSP which has permission to use the liturgical books of, I believe, 1962.
Deacon Ed
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AJV
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Whoops! Cross posted. I must LOOK before I click submit.
AltarMan, my apologies. You are right- lectors and acolytes are most certainly NOT ordained but instituted/installed. Bit of mixing between Tridentine and normative usuage on my part.
Another mistake on my part-I incorrectly included sub deacons as part of the minor orders which they were NOT in the Latin rite. Most of the old missals include rank of subdeacon among the major orders. (though I believe that the Eastern Catholics/Orthodox have it as the minor orders)
AltarMan, my apologies. You are right- lectors and acolytes are most certainly NOT ordained but instituted/installed. Bit of mixing between Tridentine and normative usuage on my part.
Another mistake on my part-I incorrectly included sub deacons as part of the minor orders which they were NOT in the Latin rite. Most of the old missals include rank of subdeacon among the major orders. (though I believe that the Eastern Catholics/Orthodox have it as the minor orders)
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Chatter163
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The subdiaconate was suppressed in 1972 in order to clarify the Church’s threefold ministry of bishops/priests/deacons.
Subdeacons were previously considered recipients of major orders. They were (and still are, where the old liturgical books are used, not only by the FSSP, but by the ICR and other traditional communities) properly addressed as “The Rev. Mr. ____,” received the tonsure and took a vow of celibacy. Many old sacramental books identified the three orders of the Church as priests/deacons/subdeacons; the episcopate was considered the fullness of the priesthood, rather than a separate order. This is why bishops were “consecrated” in the old rite, rather than “ordained,” as they are today.
The revival of the permanent diaconate largely contributed to this shift of Western theology concerning orders.
Subdeacons were previously considered recipients of major orders. They were (and still are, where the old liturgical books are used, not only by the FSSP, but by the ICR and other traditional communities) properly addressed as “The Rev. Mr. ____,” received the tonsure and took a vow of celibacy. Many old sacramental books identified the three orders of the Church as priests/deacons/subdeacons; the episcopate was considered the fullness of the priesthood, rather than a separate order. This is why bishops were “consecrated” in the old rite, rather than “ordained,” as they are today.
The revival of the permanent diaconate largely contributed to this shift of Western theology concerning orders.
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LausDeo
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In the Catholic Encyclopedia is says:
“In the ordination of an acolyte the bishop presents…”
If that’s correct I’d say they appear to be ordained clerics.
It also says:
“An acolyte is a cleric promoted to the fourth and highest minor order in the Latin Church, ranking next to a subdeacon.”
newadvent.org/cathen/01106a.htm
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AltarMan
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Your reference is dated. Acolytes are not ordained and they are no longer a minor order in the Latin Rite.
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LausDeo
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Thanks for the info…
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John_Lilburne
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The church still uses acolytes. In the Motu Proprio of 1972 Paul VI wrote “their conferral will not be called ordination, but institution”.
This document also makes it clear that the institution to lector and acolyte are not to be considered simply as “steps to priesthood”. It has:
“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.”
The 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal refers to instituted acolytes in n. 98, 100, 162, 191, 247, 249, 279, 284. These can be accessed at romanrite.com/girm.html
This includes: “279. The sacred vessels are purified by the priest, the deacon, or an instituted acolyte after Communion or after Mass, insofar as possible at the credence table.”
The 2005 Synod of Bishops mentioned instituted ministers in their Propositions.
In Proposition 38 “… Likewise, it is important to thank instituted ministers, consecrated men and women, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, catechists and other collaborators, …”.
In Proposition 18: “… It is appropriate therefore that the readings be proclaimed with care, if possible by instituted readers.”
In Proposition 25: “In particular, the role of deacons and the service of readers and acolytes deserves greater attention.”
These unofficial translations of the Propositions are by Zenit and can be accessed at romanrite.com/synodoninstituted.html
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