BRENDAN:
I am quoting from “THE LITURGY DOCUMENTS”. third edition; Liturgy Training Publications.
ACOLYTES: " In the ministry of the altar, acolytes have their own proper functions and should exercise these even though ministers of a higher rank may be present.
Their proper ministry is to look after the service of the altar and to assist the deacon and priest in liturgical services, especially the celebration of Mass.
When necessary, acolytes should instruct those who serve as ministers in liturgical rites by carrying the book, the cross, candles, or the center or by performing other similar duties.
So that they may fulfill their responsibilities more worthily, acolytes should take part in the celebration of the Eucharist with ever increasing devotion, as the source of spiritual life and the object of an ever increasing devotion, as the source of their spiritual life and the deeper appreciation. They should seek to acquire an interior and spiritual sense of their ministry so that each day they may offer themselves wholly to God and grow in sincere love for the Mystical Body of Christ, the people of God, and especially for members who are weak and inform." [The Liturgy Documents{; A Parish Resource; Liturgy Training Publications.}
PROVIGIL
PS I APOLIGIZE ABOUT THE PERPLEXION OF YOUR QUESTION, I WAS THINKING OF SOMETHING ELSE,
I believe we are all HUMAN and can make mistakes. I think when something is [misunderstood, the people on the website could be more charitable. I hope this [exclamation clears up any doubts or doubting Thomas’.
Mat the Holy Spirit and the Eternal Father help you in understanding this complex ministry.
God love you.
As for seminarians giving out Communion, if a lay person can do it, why can’t a seminarian who is also a lay person before he is a Deacon?
Those unofficial publications should be treated as resources, but not as authoritative documents. It’s a necessary distinction.
The word “acolyte” might refer to two different people. The first is the *instituted Acolyte *(usually a seminarian). This office is permanent and must be conferred with the proper liturgical rite. The word acolyte might also be applied to a layperson who is is serving at the altar (altar boys, although they can be adults too!)
The instituted Acolyte should always exercise his proper functions when he is present at Mass. But remember that an instituted Acolytes is an extra-ordinary minister of Holy Communion, not ordinary. That means that he can only assist the priest/deacon if there is a genuine need. In other words, it’s not the
proper function of an Acolyte to distribute, it’s an
extra-ordinary function. I would hope that the book makes that distinction clear in another place. If not, it’s a serious omission.
The other kind of acolyte would be what we would usually call an “altar boy” (in this case, we’re speaking of adults). Those who serve here might likewise potentially be appointed as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion if there is a genuine need, but again the function is strictly extra-ordinary. If a priest has a choice between appointing an acolyte or an instituted-acolyte to assist in Communion, then the correct choice is always the instituted one–that’s what the book means but is not making very clear (perhaps intentionally?).
Your last question is a very good one. It is always an odd situation that seminarians are often exercising extra-ordinary functions before being admitted to the formation programs, yet once admitted they are often prohibited from being appointed to these functions until they have been installed in the proper offices (reader & acolyte). This is done more as a part of the seminarian’s training than a matter of conforming to liturgical law as such. And yes, it can be akward.
The original poster asked if a seminarian can distribute Communion at Mass. The answer to that one is “yes” but it’s a qualified yes. It depends on other circumstances.
The other question was one of a seminarian (or any other layperson for that matter) conducting a so-called “Communion service” on a weekday simply because the parish priest is not in-town on that weekday. The answer to that one is “no” because such services are not in harmony with the liturgical life, or liturgical norms of the Church. These services can only happen in extreme circumstances on Sundays, and must be doubly-extreme for them to occur on a weekday. Since there is a resident priest, and Masses are being offered on Sundays, these services are not permitted.
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