Installed acolytes

[sw85]

Hello all,

I have recently been reading about the office of the installed acolyte. From what I have gathered, the office was originally considered a minor order that introduced men to the clerical state but without a vow of celibacy. With the suppression of some of the minor orders and the subdiaconate under Paul VI, the acolyte office appears to remain in force as one of the steps toward ordination for men in seminary.

It appears that the acolyte (along with the lector) is an installed office that is rarely ever conferred. Instead, the people we call “lectors” (really readers), altar servers, EMHCs, etc., are people authorized by canon law to substitute for acolytes in cases where there are none present (i.e., most of the time).

Some questions:

1. Are the above appraisals correct?
2. Is the office of installed acolyte conferred exclusively on seminarians, or may any men seek to be installed as such?
3. I have read that non-acolyte ministers, readers, etc., may serve only when a priest, deacon, or acolyte is not “available” to serve in those roles. What are the limits/extent of “availability” – does this mean, for instance, that an acolyte would be required to serve in these roles merely by virtue of his being present at Mass, or does it mean that the acolyte has “right of first refusal” or something to serve in these roles (i.e., does “availability” also take into consideration whether an acolyte wants to serve)?
4. I have also read that, since the subdiaconate has been suppressed, instances in which subdeacons are called for (i.e., solemn masses in the extraordinary form) may validly be performed by acolytes in cases where there is not a priest or deacon competent to fill the office. Is this accurate, and in this case, would the acolyte be permitted to be garbed in the tunicle traditionally worn by subdeacons?

Warmest regards,

sw85

 

[1ke]

The archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has instituted acolytes. They are not seminarians,they are in the parishes.

archgh.org/default/prayer-worship/office_worship/P-C-Ministry-of-Acolyte.pdf

 

[superamazingman]

It’s my understanding that Lincoln, NE also has instituted acolytes in parishes.

 

[YoungTradCath]

The ministries of porter, exorcist (has nothing to do with solemn exorcisms performed by priests on demoniacally possessed people), and subdeacon were suppressed. Lector was retained and acolyte was created. I’m not sure if, strictly speaking, there is any such thing as “minor orders” any more. I believe lector and acolyte are not really considered part of any named category anymore.

An acolyte is functionally equivalent to a subdeacon in the celebration of the EF Solemn Mass if no ordained subdeacon is to be found, except he does not wear a maniple. I hate to say it, but other than that, to my understanding, an acolyte is a glorified altar server with a lifelong title. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

Conferences of bishops are, in fact, allowed to decide to call acolytes “subdeacons” in their countries if they so choose.

Acolyte can be conferred to men not pursuing the priesthood. However, at least in many countries including the USA, it is not common. One of the whispers is that this is because it is restricted to males. So functionally, in many places, acolytes are a position almost exclusive to seminarians.

1. So I suppose I would generally agree with what you say.
2. Any man may seek it, but it is up to the diocesan bishop to confer it. Seminarians must receive it eventually. Other laymen can receive it.
3. Acolytes have the first rights to serving Mass and distributing Holy Communion if there are not sufficient clerics. Lectors have the first rights, I believe, to reading. I don’t think an acolyte/lector is required to perform his ministry, no. But a priest or deacon attending a Mass, I believe, is required, for example, to distribute Holy Communion if needed.
4. Yes. He wears amice, alb, cincture, tunicle, and if it is the practice of the place, the biretta; all over whatever street garb is prescribed, usually a cassock but not necessarily. However, he does not wear the maniple.

 

[TimothyH]

Hello all,
2) Is the office of installed acolyte conferred exclusively on seminarians, or may any men seek to be installed as such?

1. I have read that non-acolyte ministers, readers, etc., may serve only when a priest, deacon, or acolyte is not “available” to serve in those roles. What are the limits/extent of “availability” – does this mean, for instance, that an acolyte would be required to serve in these roles merely by virtue of his being present at Mass, or does it mean that the acolyte has “right of first refusal” or something to serve in these roles (i.e., does “availability” also take into consideration whether an acolyte wants to serve)?

A deacon in formation in some Diocese will be instituted as a lector and acolyte at some point. This is in addition to seminarians who are to be ordained as priests.

An instituted acolyte does take precidence over an altar server and the same is true for instituted lector over a reader. But we have to be prudent when we talk about “Availablity.”

Walking up to an altar server fifteen minutes before Mass and asserting a superior position, asking them to take the cassock and surplice off and go sit in the pew, probably isn’t the most charitable thing to do. Bumping a reader from the schedule after they have rehearsed for several days isn’t the best way for an instutitued Lector to make friends.

Even a priest is likely not going to bump someone who rehearsed for several days, had their best suit pressed, arrived early and is ready to read, just because an instituted Lector showed up ten minutes before Mass, unrehearsed, and without a tie on.

It is one thing to be physically present ten minutes before Mass starts - available - and quite another to be fully prepared to serve. I’d rather have a reader who is familiar with the text and reads it with reverence than an instituted Lector who fumbles through an unfamiliar text.

-Tim-

 

[Laetus]

Why would a man be* instituted for life *as an acolyte or a lector unless the selection process and formation for being instituted was fairly long and rigorous? (No, the purification of the sacred vessels is not reason enough.)

Unless the selection process was the same as it is for a deacon and unless the formation was at least 1/2 that (about 2 years) that of a deacon, I would see no value (and a great deal of potential downside) to instituting permanent acolytes and readers.

 

[Brendan]

I’m not sure if, strictly speaking, there is any such thing as “minor orders” any more.

The still exist as such in the Eastern Catholic Churches ( we have a Chaldean Subdeacon in our parish)

IIRC, ‘traditional’ orders, such as the FSSP have Papal permission to ordain men to the traditional minor orders in the Latin Rite

 

[Laetus]

The ministries of porter, exorcist (has nothing to do with solemn exorcisms performed by priests on demoniacally possessed people), and subdeacon were suppressed. Lector was retained and acolyte was created. I’m not sure if, strictly speaking, there is any such thing as “minor orders” any more. I believe lector and acolyte are not really considered part of any named category anymore.

An acolyte is functionally equivalent to a subdeacon in the celebration of the EF Solemn Mass if no ordained subdeacon is to be found, except he does not wear a maniple. I hate to say it, but other than that, to my understanding, an acolyte is a glorified altar server with a lifelong title. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

Conferences of bishops are, in fact, allowed to decide to call acolytes “subdeacons” in their countries if they so choose.

Acolyte can be conferred to men not pursuing the priesthood. However, at least in many countries including the USA, it is not common. One of the whispers is that this is because it is restricted to males. So functionally, in many places, acolytes are a position almost exclusive to seminarians.

1. So I suppose I would generally agree with what you say.
2. Any man may seek it, but it is up to the diocesan bishop to confer it. Seminarians must receive it eventually. Other laymen can receive it.
3. Acolytes have the first rights to serving Mass and distributing Holy Communion if there are not sufficient clerics. Lectors have the first rights, I believe, to reading. I don’t think an acolyte/lector is required to perform his ministry, no. But a priest or deacon attending a Mass, I believe, is required, for example, to distribute Holy Communion if needed.
4. Yes. He wears amice, alb, cincture, tunicle, and if it is the practice of the place, the biretta; all over whatever street garb is prescribed, usually a cassock but not necessarily. However, he does not wear the maniple.

I suppose the local ordinary can do pretty much what he wants in this area, but in the context (at least) of the OF Mass, acolytes DO NOT wear tunicles or birettas. Even within the EF, an instituted acolyte may not wear anything that a non-instituted server may wear. If one was to actually wear a tunicle it would be over an alb.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

The ministries of porter, exorcist (has nothing to do with solemn exorcisms performed by priests on demoniacally possessed people), and subdeacon were suppressed. Lector was retained and acolyte was created. I’m not sure if, strictly speaking, there is any such thing as “minor orders” any more. I believe lector and acolyte are not really considered part of any named category anymore.

An acolyte is functionally equivalent to a subdeacon in the celebration of the EF Solemn Mass if no ordained subdeacon is to be found, except he does not wear a maniple. I hate to say it, but other than that, to my understanding, an acolyte is a glorified altar server with a lifelong title. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

Conferences of bishops are, in fact, allowed to decide to call acolytes “subdeacons” in their countries if they so choose.

Acolyte can be conferred to men not pursuing the priesthood. However, at least in many countries including the USA, it is not common. One of the whispers is that this is because it is restricted to males. So functionally, in many places, acolytes are a position almost exclusive to seminarians.

1. So I suppose I would generally agree with what you say.
2. Any man may seek it, but it is up to the diocesan bishop to confer it. Seminarians must receive it eventually. Other laymen can receive it.
3. Acolytes have the first rights to serving Mass and distributing Holy Communion if there are not sufficient clerics. Lectors have the first rights, I believe, to reading. I don’t think an acolyte/lector is required to perform his ministry, no. But a priest or deacon attending a Mass, I believe, is required, for example, to distribute Holy Communion if needed.
4. Yes. He wears amice, alb, cincture, tunicle, and if it is the practice of the place, the biretta; all over whatever street garb is prescribed, usually a cassock but not necessarily. However, he does not wear the maniple.

“Acolyte” was indeed one of the minor orders- the highest of them in fact. With Paul VI’s reform the position of acolyte not only ceased to be clerical in nature but assumed what would survive of the role of the subdeacon, and even the name if this was felt appropriate in a certain region. Maybe we could say the minor order of Acolyte and the major order of Subdeacon were merged and redefined as a lay ministry.

To the OP, today many (I suspect most, by a wide margin) dioceses do not install acolytes and lectors except for seminarians on their way to the priesthood or deaconate, at least in part because only men may be installed in these ministries, whereas both men and women may be temporarily deputized to fulfill the same functions.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

The still exist as such in the Eastern Catholic Churches ( we have a Chaldean Subdeacon in our parish)

IIRC, ‘traditional’ orders, such as the FSSP have Papal permission to ordain men to the traditional minor orders in the Latin Rite

This is an important point. The minor orders still exist and remain a part of the life of the Church.

 

[sw85]

Thanks for the feedback, all, and especially YTD!

Walking up to an altar server fifteen minutes before Mass and asserting a superior position, asking them to take the cassock and surplice off and go sit in the pew, probably isn’t the most charitable thing to do. Bumping a reader from the schedule after they have rehearsed for several days isn’t the best way for an instutitued Lector to make friends.

Even a priest is likely not going to bump someone who rehearsed for several days, had their best suit pressed, arrived early and is ready to read, just because an instituted Lector showed up ten minutes before Mass, unrehearsed, and without a tie on.

It is one thing to be physically present ten minutes before Mass starts - available - and quite another to be fully prepared to serve. I’d rather have a reader who is familiar with the text and reads it with reverence than an instituted Lector who fumbles through an unfamiliar text.

-Tim-

Of course. I was only wondering how “available” was to be interpreted.

I suppose the local ordinary can do pretty much what he wants in this area, but in the context (at least) of the OF Mass, acolytes DO NOT wear tunicles or birettas. Even within the EF, an instituted acolyte may not wear anything that a non-instituted server may wear. If one was to actually wear a tunicle it would be over an alb.

My question specifically had to do with cases in which a subdeacon is called for (e.g., EF solemn masses) and an acolyte is authorized to fill in, not in cases of acolytes qua acolytes.

Looking into this, I found a useful post from Fr. Z.'s blog. In cases in which an acolyte is filling in for a subdeacon, he is authorized to dress as a subdeacon, including wearing the tunicle, although it is always preferred that the office of a subdeacon be executed by another priest or deacon.

 

[Laetus]

Thanks for the feedback, all, and especially YTD!

Of course. I was only wondering how “available” was to be interpreted.

My question specifically had to do with cases in which a subdeacon is called for (e.g., EF solemn masses) and an acolyte is authorized to fill in, not in cases of acolytes qua acolytes.

Looking into this, I found a useful post from Fr. Z.'s blog. In cases in which an acolyte is filling in for a subdeacon, he is authorized to dress as a subdeacon, including wearing the tunicle, although it is always preferred that the office of a subdeacon be executed by another priest or deacon.

Fr. Z isn’t the Church. My only point is that if an instituted acolyte is allowed to do something then any layman is except when it comes to purifying the sacred vessels.

 

[YoungTradCath]

The still exist as such in the Eastern Catholic Churches ( we have a Chaldean Subdeacon in our parish)

IIRC, ‘traditional’ orders, such as the FSSP have Papal permission to ordain men to the traditional minor orders in the Latin Rite

Yes, point taken.

I suppose the local ordinary can do pretty much what he wants in this area, but in the context (at least) of the OF Mass, acolytes DO NOT wear tunicles or birettas. Even within the EF, an instituted acolyte may not wear anything that a non-instituted server may wear. If one was to actually wear a tunicle it would be over an alb.

No one said so. What was said is that if an acolyte must step in as a straw subdeacon at an EF Solemn Mass if there is no other cleric available, then he would wear vestments proper to the subdiaconate, except for the maniple. This wasn’t about the OF, nor was it about serving Mass. So while you’re right about acolytes not being permitted to wear tunicles (although this is never the case for someone serving Mass in the first place) or birettas even in the context of serving the EF, what was asked was not about serving the Mass, nor was it about the OF.

Fr. Z isn’t the Church. My only point is that if an instituted acolyte is allowed to do something then any layman is except when it comes to purifying the sacred vessels.

This is incorrect. The only persons who may legally substitute for a subdeacon at EF Solemn Mass are priests, deacons or, if none are available, instituted acolytes. Laymen who are not acolytes may not substitute for a subdeacon.

 

[TrueLight]

This is incorrect. The only persons who may legally substitute for a subdeacon at EF Solemn Mass are priests, deacons or, if none are available, instituted acolytes. Laymen who are not acolytes may not substitute for a subdeacon.

Hate to tell you this, but the “straw subdeacon” is a common thing.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Hate to tell you this, but the “straw subdeacon” is a common thing.

I know that. I didn’t comment on their commonality, though. I just said who is allowed to substituted for a subdeacon (priest, deacon, instituted acolyte).

 

[L_Marshall]

Here in the Northeast, usually only seminarians are instituted as Acolytes, usually at the beginning of their studies in Theology or Pre-Theology (Depending on the Seminary).

 

[Kevin812]

Walking up to an altar server fifteen minutes before Mass and asserting a superior position, asking them to take the cassock and surplice off and go sit in the pew, probably isn’t the most charitable thing to do. Bumping a reader from the schedule after they have rehearsed for several days isn’t the best way for an instutitued Lector to make friends.

Even a priest is likely not going to bump someone who rehearsed for several days, had their best suit pressed, arrived early and is ready to read, just because an instituted Lector showed up ten minutes before Mass, unrehearsed, and without a tie on.

It is one thing to be physically present ten minutes before Mass starts - available - and quite another to be fully prepared to serve. I’d rather have a reader who is familiar with the text and reads it with reverence than an instituted Lector who fumbles through an unfamiliar text.
-Tim-

With deepest respect I must disagree with your implied sentiment that the Holy Mass is a show or a staged play.

The failure of charity in the hypothetical situation would fall on the Lay person for having a failed understanding of their role and the role of the Ordained and/or Instituted man.

 

[Cristiano]

With deepest respect I must disagree with your implied sentiment that the Holy Mass is a show or a staged play.

The failure of charity in the hypothetical situation would fall on the Lay person for having a failed understanding of their role and the role of the Ordained and/or Instituted man.

Can you please show to me where the implication of a staged play is?

Maybe you are not aware of how much work some altar servers must to to prepare for a Xmas or Easter midnight Mass. When you have two or three priests, two deacons, two or three acolytes and at twelve to sixteen altar servers, different readers for all the lessons and everything coordinated with a schola cantorum then you will realize that changes at the last minute might not be what the pastor wants.

 

[Laetus]

I know that. I didn’t comment on their commonality, though. I just said who is allowed to substituted for a subdeacon (priest, deacon, instituted acolyte).

I “straw subdeacon” need not be instituted (or ordained.)

 

[superamazingman]

I “straw subdeacon” need not be instituted (or ordained.)

Actually, you do. State your source.