Questions about Ministries (and Subdeacons I guess)

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Hello everyone. I have couple of questions about ministries (namely, acolyte and reader). I mean to ask those about properly instituted acolytes and readers- not about extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, neither about people who are instituted to be temporary readers or so.

1. How do lay people (so no people studying to be clerics) actually “apply” for being acolytes/readers? I understand that Bishop is the one to institute acolytes, and because there isn’t Bishop in every city, Bishop can not personally know every acolyte. Do Priests just kinda forward names to Bishops or so?
2. If properly instituted, are acolytes/readers able to function outside their diocese, or even outside jurisdiction of their conference of Bishops? (say, in another country or so)
3. What is generally formation for being acolyte/reader? What are basic requirements?
4. Do acolytes exist in Eastern Catholic Churches? If yes, are instituted acolytes able to just go to Eastern Catholic Liturgy and assist as their acolytes would?
5. If Eastern Catholic (or Tridentine for that matter) Subdeacon assists at Novus Ordo Mass, is he performing functions of acolyte? Is he dressed in distinct clothing from other acolytes? After all, acolytes were ranked below Subdeacons if I’m not mistaken.
6. I understand that acolytes are instituted, so they do not take vows of celibacy or anything like that, and they can always return to their normal state (unlike ordained Deacons, Priests or Bishops). What of this would apply to Subdeacons?
7. How does one become Subdeacon in Tridentine Parish (or basically to assist at Tridentine Mass)? In Eastern Catholic Churches?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

[Fauken]

Most of your questions can be answered as: it depends on your diocese. I can’t speak for Eastern Catholics. Regarding this one though for the TLM:

How does one become Subdeacon in Tridentine Parish (or basically to assist at Tridentine Mass)?

The only subdeacons I know are ones who are still in seminary and a part of any number of religious groups that promote the TLM (FSSP, ICKSP, Canons of St. John Cantius). So the answer is, you’d have to become a seminarian. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a bishop ordaining a man as a subdeacon outside of those groups. I don’t think it’s done at all outside of those groups.

 

[Glennon_P]

I have received both the ministry of Acolyte (1983) and Lector (1985). I can share my experiences in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska (USA), but I don’t know how things are in other dioceses:

How do lay people (so no people studying to be clerics) actually “apply” for being acolytes/readers? I understand that Bishop is the one to institute acolytes, and because there isn’t Bishop in every city, Bishop can not personally know every acolyte. Do Priests just kinda forward names to Bishops or so?

I was nominated by my pastor and, after completing the training, was instituted in each ministry by our Bishop in a ceremony at the Cathedral.

If properly instituted, are acolytes/readers able to function outside their diocese, or even outside jurisdiction of their conference of Bishops? (say, in another country or so)

I honestly don’t know. I have read at Masses in parishes outside my home diocese, but the priest never asked me if I had the ministry of Lector. But those were dioceses where they used non-instituted readers and not Lectors.

What is generally formation for being acolyte/reader? What are basic requirements?

It’s been 30+ years since I completed the training…as I recall, it consisted of five or six Sunday afternoon classes with men from all the parishes in my city. We had a spiritual talk for all of us, followed by ministry-specific training (Lectors in one room, Acolytes in another). Each training session took two or three hours. We finished training with an afternoon of recollection.

As far as requirements, our diocesan policy states that the candidates must be at least 21 years of age, practicing Catholics, of good reputation with the physical abilities to perform the ministry, and if the candidate has children and Catholic schools are available in their parish, the children must be enrolled there, unless there is a specific reason (e.g., the child requires Special Education and the school does not offer it).

• Do acolytes exist in Eastern Catholic Churches? If yes, are instituted acolytes able to just go to Eastern Catholic Liturgy and assist as their acolytes would?
• If Eastern Catholic (or Tridentine for that matter) Subdeacon assists at Novus Ordo Mass, is he performing functions of acolyte? Is he dressed in distinct clothing from other acolytes? After all, acolytes were ranked below Subdeacons if I’m not mistaken.

• I understand that acolytes are instituted, so they do not take vows of celibacy or anything like that, and they can always return to their normal state (unlike ordained Deacons, Priests or Bishops). What of this would apply to Subdeacons?
• How does one become Subdeacon in Tridentine Parish (or basically to assist at Tridentine Mass)? In Eastern Catholic Churches?

I’m not familiar with these situations. I’m a Roman Catholic in a parish celebrating the Ordinary Form of the Mass.

 

[TomH1]

Glennon_P is the first lay man I’ve even remotely encountered who’s received these ministries. My understanding is St Paul VI introduced them with the intention that lay men (viri) may be instituted to these lay ministries. However, as far as I know there use has generally be restricted to seminarians preparing for the priesthood. They may also be given to men preparing for the diaconate. I live in one of two dioceses in England & Wales without permanent deacons and I’m not well informed about their formation.

 

[Glennon_P]

Glennon_P is the first lay man I’ve even remotely encountered who’s received these ministries. My understanding is St Paul VI introduced them with the intention that lay men ( viri ) may be instituted to these lay ministries. However, as far as I know there use has generally be restricted to seminarians preparing for the priesthood.

There was considerable controversy when our late Bishop Glennon Flavin made the use of Lectors and Acolytes mandatory at Masses in this diocese in 1984. They had been using non-instituted readers for more than a decade before he mandated Lector- and Acolyte-only use. The biggest controversy was that, since the ministries of Lector and Acolyte are reserved to men only, women could no longer read at Mass or distribute Holy Communion.

Bishop Flavin retired in 1992. His successor, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, relaxed the diocesan regulations somewhat, allowing for either Lectors or readers at Mass and left it up to the discretion of the individual pastors. To my knowledge, our current Bishop James Conley has kept that ruling on the books. We do not have EMHCs; Acolytes assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion at Mass.

As far as I know, there are very few other dioceses in the U.S. that have the same regulations and the same use of the ministries of Lector and Acolyte.

 

[phil19034]

• How do lay people (so no people studying to be clerics) actually “apply” for being acolytes/readers? I understand that Bishop is the one to institute acolytes, and because there isn’t Bishop in every city, Bishop can not personally know every acolyte. Do Priests just kinda forward names to Bishops or so?

Very few Bishops will install lay men as instituted acolytes and readers. I think only 2 or 3 dioceses in the US do it, Houston being one of them. The vast majority do not.

• If properly instituted, are acolytes/readers able to function outside their diocese, or even outside jurisdiction of their conference of Bishops? (say, in another country or so)

Yes, but they would need a letter from diocese indicating their status.

• What is generally formation for being acolyte/reader? What are basic requirements?

General formation is the seminary. Most Instituted Acolytes and Readers are installed 1 year before being ordained as a Deacon.

• Do acolytes exist in Eastern Catholic Churches? If yes, are instituted acolytes able to just go to Eastern Catholic Liturgy and assist as their acolytes would?

Yes, Eastern Catholics have them, but I think they still have the minor order version. So I’m not sure how that works.

• If Eastern Catholic (or Tridentine for that matter) Subdeacon assists at Novus Ordo Mass, is he performing functions of acolyte? Is he dressed in distinct clothing from other acolytes? After all, acolytes were ranked below Subdeacons if I’m not mistaken.

Yes, he would serve as a acolyte. I think they would simply where an Alb or Cassock & Surplice.

• I understand that acolytes are instituted, so they do not take vows of celibacy or anything like that, and they can always return to their normal state (unlike ordained Deacons, Priests or Bishops). What of this would apply to Subdeacons?

Theoretically, yes. However, Subdeacons have received tonsure and are technically clerics.

• How does one become Subdeacon in Tridentine Parish (or basically to assist at Tridentine Mass)? In Eastern Catholic Churches?

When a lay person is a Subdeacon at a Tridentine Parish, it’s typically because they are an Instituted Acolyte. An Instituted Acolyte is allowed to serve as a Subdeacon. Deacons and priests are allowed to serve as the subdeacon too.

Today, MOST of the time, when attending a Solemn High Mass today, the Priest, Deacon and Subdeacon at the mass are typically all ordained priests.

However, near me, there is one Instituted Acolyte (who is lay) who was installed as a Instituted Acolyte through the Anglican Ordinariate, since my archdioceses do not install Acolytes. So he often serves as Subdeacon at Solemn High Masses.

God bless

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

However, near me, there is one Instituted Acolyte (who is lay) who was installed as a Instituted Acolyte through the Anglican Ordinariate, since my archdioceses do not install Acolytes. So he often serves as Subdeacon at Solemn High Masses.

Hm, would that mean Latin acolyte can serve as subdeacon at Eastern Catholic Mass?

Also, thanks to everyone for responses, you’ve all been huge help!

 

[phil19034]

Hm, would that mean Latin acolyte can serve as subdeacon at Eastern Catholic Mass?

only if he’s bi-ritual

 

[JohnLilburne]

On questions 1, 2, 3 and 6.

According to the 1972 Motu Proprio “Ministeria quaedam”:

"VII. In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Church, institution to the ministries of reader and acolyte is reserved to men.

“VIII. The following are requirements for admission to the ministries:

a. the presentation of a petition that has been freely made out and sign by the aspirant to the Ordinary (the bishop and, in clerical institutes, the major superior) who has the right to accept the petition.

b. a suitable age and special qualities to be determined by the conference of bishops;

c. a firm will to give faithful service to God and the Christian people.”

Taking the archdiocese of Sydney, Australia, as an example. It has:

“ Training Course for Acolytes

To be eligible for the Ministry of Acolyte men applying for this course must have completed the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion course then at completing of these courses may request Institution into the Ministry of Acolyte by the Archbishop of Sydney .

Sessions in 2019

When : Harrington Hall Our Lady of the Rosary, 2 Weston Street, Fairfield NSW 2165

Where : Saturdays 9th 16th & 23rd March 2019 (9:0am- 12:00pm)”

(From Serving the Lord With Gladness ).

To do the Extraordinary Ministers course requires an application form with the Parish Priest signing the individual “has been selected by me as a suitable candidate, being of excellent character, devoted practicing Catholic and a regular worshipper”. The baptismal certificate is also required.

Regarding Question 2, can an instituted acolyte function outside of their diocese? My understanding is that they can. The 1972 Motu Proprio has:
“XI. Unless they have already done so, candidates for ordination as deacons as deacons as priests are to receive the ministries of reader and acolyte “.

The “unless they have already done so” indicates that it is something received once in a lifetime. There is no suggestion that an individual has an new ceremony of institution each time they move to a new diocese.

Question 6 has: “I understand that acolytes are instituted, so they do not take vows of celibacy or anything like that, and they can always return to their normal state (unlike ordained Deacons, Priests or Bishops).”

I disagree about an instituted acolyte “can always return to their normal state”. Once instituted as an acolyte the man is an instituted acolyte. Becoming an Extraordinary Minister is often for a period of time. Becoming an Instituted Acolyte is for life. (Obviously ordination as a deacon changes this.) Take the prayer from the ceremony:

“Bless + our brothers

who have been chosen for the ministry of acolyte.

Grant that they may be faithful

in the service of your altar

and in giving to others the bread of life;

may they grow always in faith and love,

and so build up your Church.”

[Excerpt from the English translation of The Institution of Readers and Acolytes, © 1976, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.]

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

I understand that Deacons can not be bi-ritual. He needs approval of Eastern Bishop (not even his own) to assist at Liturgy of other Rite. Hence, I doubt Subdeacons can be bi-ritual.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

I disagree about an instituted acolyte “can always return to their normal state”. Once instituted as an acolyte the man is an instituted acolyte. Becoming an Extraordinary Minister is often for a period of time. Becoming an Instituted Acolyte is for life. (Obviously ordination as a deacon changes this.) Take the prayer from the ceremony:

I see. I meant that Holy Orders mark the soul forever, but institutions of ministries don’t. I dont have any idea what does this mean in practice- acolyte has no power to confer sacraments like clerics do, neither does he need to recite LotH etc. I suppose if Bishop forbids acolyte to act as one, he essentially becomes ordinary layman- unlike clerics who keep their ordination. I suppose that if Bishop changes his mind acolyte does not need re-institution so you are right about institution not disappearing.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Yes, he would serve as a acolyte. I think they would simply where an Alb or Cassock & Surplice.

Usually clerics wear vestments of their own Rite at Liturgies of other Rites-wouldn’t this apply to Eastern Subdeacon assisting at Mass?

 

[phil19034]

phil19034:

Yes, he would serve as a acolyte. I think they would simply where an Alb or Cassock & Surplice.

Usually clerics wear vestments of their own Rite at Liturgies of other Rites-wouldn’t this apply to Eastern Subdeacon assisting at Mass?

yes, unless they are bi-ritual or have the permission to act in a bi-ritual way.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

oh is that so? I thought that applies to everyone, including bi-ritual clerics. So would Latin Priest celebrating Byzantine Divine Liturgy be wearing Byzantine vestments?

 

[dochawk]

Yes, Eastern Catholics have them, but I think they still have the minor order version. So I’m not sure how that works.

Note that EC subdeacons are quite rare; almost all are on the path to the diaconate. Lay men (and boys) usually fill in for them on the altar (I do).

A subdeacon vests much like a deacon, but ties his stole differently (and I think it stays the same throughout the liturgy, while the deacon reties his differently).

I’ve only seen one, other than when the bishop ordains to minor orders a couple of months before diaconal ordination.

There are four, but there seem to be slight variations among churches. Porter, lector/readder, subdeacon, and, uhm . . . (cantor? I’m not sure if that’s the same as lector . . .)

Hm, would that mean Latin acolyte can serve as subdeacon at Eastern Catholic Mass?

Since adult males can, sure, an acolyte could. Note that our subdeacon mostly handles the incense for the breast and deacon, and if there are enough, carry things (candles, cherubic, cross) and hold cloths at communion to catch anything falling.

only if he’s bi-ritual

No. Any male can fill in for the subdeacons in the east.

While I’m at it, deacons don’t need bi-ritual faculties the way priest do. (so if you catch one, you can poach him )

The deacon has a far more active role in the eastern liturgy than the western (and keeps the subdeacons busy opening doors!).

When my priest first served Divine Liturgy with one, he noted that the deacon ost of the work, and he could “sit there like a potted plant” !!! :crazy_face:

Usually clerics wear vestments of their own Rite at Liturgies of other Rites-wouldn’t this apply to Eastern Subdeacon assisting at Mass?

I would assume so . . .

yes, unless they are bi-ritual or have the permission to act in a bi-ritual way.

Again, deacons don’t have that type of faculty or need. On the other hand, they can’t just barge in and expect to serve in another church.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Thanks for explaining that to me.

I would assume so . . .

Does that kinda mean Latin acolyte would vest as subdeacon in Eastern Church because he is not cleric or would he vest as acolyte?

Again, deacons don’t have that type of faculty or need.

I’ve been told they need approval of local ordinary.

 

[dochawk]

Does that kinda mean Latin acolyte would vest as subdeacon in Eastern Church because he is not cleric or would he vest as acolyte?

Those of us without orders typically wear a sticharion, a long sleeved robe. I can’t imagine that an acolyte would vest to an order he didn’t have.

Also, it would be quite unusual to have a deacon’s or subdeacon’s vestments hanging around . . . usually they’re purchased by or for the deacon shortly before he receives minor orders (the difference in their vesting is how they wear the same stole).

I’ve been told they need approval of local ordinary.

It’s the bishop’s diocese, and they certainly can’t run around, any least long term, without approval. Even priests don’t need faculties to concelebrate in another church. Generally, a visiting priest only needs the celebrant’s consent.