How usual are instituted acolytes and lectors?

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Ahlman

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Do you have any at your parish? According to the GIRM, if there are instituted acolytes and lectors, they are always to perform their functions whenever participating in the liturgy. The lector is to read the readings preceding the gospel and read the intentions of the general intercessions, while the acolyte does the altar serving and acts as an EMHC when needed. He (they are always men) may also purify the sacred vessels.

I suppose that acolytes and lectors should also always be dressed in liturgical garment when participating in the liturgy. To my ears, it sounds that the use of instituted acolytes and lectors would apply very much to traditional minded Catholics, and for this very reason at the same time be considered just as controversial as ad orientem celebrations. What are your thoughts about this?
 
In most diocese it is usually only those preparing for the priesthood or diaconate who are instituted lectors and acolytes. I th ink there may be a few diocese that actually install those not preparing for orders.
 
Joannm said:
In most diocese it is usually only those preparing for the priesthood or diaconate who are instituted lectors and acolytes. I th ink there may be a few diocese that actually install those not preparing for orders.
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I think you are correct. I know for certain that the LIncoln Diocese institutes Acolytes and Lectors to those who are not seeking Holy Orders. Both “roles” used to be two of the 4 minor orders of priesthood.

As for the OP, your assumption regarding Acolytes and Lectors being a traditional minded thing might be correct since the Lincoln Diocese is considered VERY traditional. WHich makes one wonder if God wants traditional minded Catholicism…he certainly has blessed Lincoln with HORDES of priests. THeir Seminaries are so full they are sending out flyers to my neck of the woods for money to build bigger dormitories. Lincoln has 20 times more seminarians than my diocese and it is smaller in population than mine.
 
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