Liturgical abuse? Altar server/Chalice/purifying

[Joab_Anias]

The only instituted Acolytes are those who have been very specifically installed into this ministry by a special ceremony presided-over by the bishop. This ceremony is very similar to an ordination. Again, try to think of it like an ordination. No one could go through this and not be aware. It can’t be done by letter, or verbally, it can only be done through the specific installation ceremony.

I think I understand the difficulty here. “Duly instituted” does not mean “appointed by the bishop” or anyone else in authority to do so. It refers to the ceremony making someone an “Acolyte.” Just for clarity, imagine using the words “ordained acolyte” instead of “instituted.”

For the most part, only those preparing for the priesthood or deaconate are installed as Acolytes.

There is a real difficulty in understanding the vocabulary here. I personally think it is a shame that the order of subdeacon was eliminated in the Latin Rite.

Thanks again. That makes more sense to me now. I think I had assumed all altar servers were considered acolytes.

Is becoming an acolyte a general process in becoming a priest similar to a novice or brother and the other steps in a religious order or is it usually skipped?

I see acolyte used a lot in the GIRM but I can’t say as I have ever noticed one at Mass other than perhaps someone I knew who was in formation for the deaconate or priesthood and just didn’t realize they were actually acolytes.

Thanks again, and for you patience with my ignorance on this.

Peace be with you.

 

[Phemie]

Thanks again. That makes more sense to me now. I think I had assumed all altar servers were considered acolytes.

Is becoming an acolyte a general process in becoming a priest similar to a novice or brother and the other steps in a religious order or is it usually skipped?

I see acolyte used a lot in the GIRM but I can’t say as I have ever noticed one at Mass other than perhaps someone I knew who was in formation for the deaconate or priesthood and just didn’t realize they were actually acolytes.

Thanks again, and for you patience with my ignorance on this.

Peace be with you.

Yes, acolyte is a stage toward the priesthood. First Instituted Lector, then Instituted Acolyte then Deacon and then, finally, Priest.

As a previous poster said, generally you won’t find Instituted Acolytes (or Instituted Lectors, for that matter) in most parishes unless they are in formation for the Permanent Diaconate or for the Priesthood. But all bishops have the option of having permanent Instituted Lectors & Acolytes.

Many bishops won’t even consider instituting Lectors & Acolytes who aren’t in formation for the diaconate or priesthood because that ministry is closed to women. Heck, one bishop I’m aware of wouldn’t even have Permanent Deacons because he felt that that was unfair to the 6 laicized, married priests he had in his congregation.

 

[FrDavid96]

Thanks again. That makes more sense to me now. I think I had assumed all altar servers were considered acolytes.

Is becoming an acolyte a general process in becoming a priest similar to a novice or brother and the other steps in a religious order or is it usually skipped?

I see acolyte used a lot in the GIRM but I can’t say as I have ever noticed one at Mass other than perhaps someone I knew who was in formation for the deaconate or priesthood and just didn’t realize they were actually acolytes.

Thanks again, and for you patience with my ignorance on this.

Peace be with you.

well…your assumption is correct, however:

Again, here’s the problem: The same word “acolyte” can be used to describe two different classifications of persons, and that does cause a lot of confusion.

Yes, an altar boy might be called “an acolyte.” It’s the specific adjective instituted Acolyte that makes the difference.

Older printings of the GIRM used to simply use the word “acolyte” and that caused a lot of confusion. That’s why in the current GIRM the term “instituted Acolyte” is now used in certain places–to make that distinction.

Only one who has already been officially installed as a Lector and Acolyte may be ordained a deacon (and later a priest), so yes, these are required. (In unusual circumstances, a dispensation might be possible, I’m not sure, but in any case that’s not realy relevant to this conversation).

 

[Joab_Anias]

well…your assumption is correct, however:

Again, here’s the problem: The same word “acolyte” can be used to describe two different classifications of persons, and that does cause a lot of confusion.

Yes, an altar boy might be called “an acolyte.” It’s the specific adjective instituted Acolyte that makes the difference.

Older printings of the GIRM used to simply use the word “acolyte” and that caused a lot of confusion. That’s why in the current GIRM the term “instituted Acolyte” is now used in certain places–to make that distinction.

Only one who has already been officially installed as a Lector and Acolyte may be ordained a deacon (and later a priest), so yes, these are required. (In unusual circumstances, a dispensation might be possible, I’m not sure, but in any case that’s not realy relevant to this conversation).

Ah, that makes it all crystal clear now and I won’t bother wondering why Altar boys aren’t serving as EMHC’s when they are assisting at the altar.

 

[Aramis]

Thanks again. That makes more sense to me now. I think I had assumed all altar servers were considered acolytes.

Is becoming an acolyte a general process in becoming a priest similar to a novice or brother and the other steps in a religious order or is it usually skipped?

I see acolyte used a lot in the GIRM but I can’t say as I have ever noticed one at Mass other than perhaps someone I knew who was in formation for the deaconate or priesthood and just didn’t realize they were actually acolytes.

Thanks again, and for you patience with my ignorance on this.

Peace be with you.

Acolytes are one of the “Minor Orders”. Until shortly after Vatican II, and based upon Vatican II, the minor orders were abolished as clerics in the Roman Church, and subdeacons abolished with them.

The instituted Lector and Instituted Acolyte are “installed” for life into particular ministeries, and are usually but not always men bound for at least the deaconate. It is not an ordination, however, and confers no permanent mark on the soul, so it can be revoked for cause.

An instituted Lector is installed to do three tasks

1. To read or chant the epistle and the old testament in the mass
2. to lead the faithful in public prayer when no cleric is available
3. to lead the prayers of the faithful in the absence of a deacon.

An instituted Acolyte is installed to do three tasks:

1. Assist the deacon and priest in the mass by various tasks
2. assist in distribution of communion when there is sufficient need
3. lead the faithful in prayer when no cleric is available

Now, the Ordained Lectors of old traditionally:

1. Read the epistle in the absence of the subdeacon
2. held the epistle book for the subdeacon

Ordained Acolytes traditionally did all the things an alter server does…

1. to recite the responses to the priest
2. to provide the various impliments to the clerics as required in the liturgy
3. to hold the sacramentary for the celebrant
4. in the absence of the subdeacon, to hold the epistle book for the lector; or in the absence of the lector, to hold the epistle book for the subdeacon or deacon.
5. in the absence of the deacon and subdeacon, to hold the Gospel Book for the Priest.
   (Note that 4 & 5 are not done if an Ambo, or ambo and lectionary stand are used)
6. to assist the clerics in vesting when needed.

 

[John_Lilburne]

…Is becoming an acolyte a general process in becoming a priest similar to a novice or brother and the other steps in a religious order or is it usually skipped?..

The 1972 Motu Proprio Ministeria Quaedam is important in understanding Instituted Acolytes. It is at ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P6MINORS.HTM .

Three extracts on this question:
“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.”
“7. In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Church, institution to the ministries of reader and acolyte is reserved to men.”
“11. Unless they have already done so, candidates for ordination as deacons and priests are to receive the ministries of reader and acolyte and are to exercise them for a suitable time, in order to be better disposed for the future service of the word and of the altar. Dispensation from receiving these ministries on the part of such candidates is reserved to the Holy See.”

 

[Joab_Anias]

Thanks for the answers from japhy, Phemie, Aramis and John as well. All very helpful. Thanks!

 

[Provigil]

In recent changes, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PURIFY ANY CHALICE. YOUR PASTOR SHOULD HAVE KNOW THIS. IF HE DID NOT WANT TO DRINK THE PRECIOUS BOOD< YOU COULD HAVE DONE IT< BUT YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PURIFY IT.

PROVIGIL​