Would Instituting Acolytes Really Help?

[Rickwood]

…How would it highlight the importance and respect for the Eucharist? It would illustrate the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist by expressing it in our actions. No priest in my parish ever cleans the vessels, this is left up to the laity…

I’m not sure how that would be. Because they would be purifying sacred vessels?

Without a substantial formation, I don’t see how instituted EMsHC would be superior to non-instituted EMsHC, except for purifying the vessels.

 

[scylla]

I’m not sure how that would be. Because they would be purifying sacred vessels?

Without a substantial formation, I don’t see how instituted EMsHC would be superior to non-instituted EMsHC, except for purifying the vessels.

I agree that there should be substantial formation, not just appoint them to be instituted acolytes. That would be a problem as it would trivialize the importance of not only the institution but also the function of the acolytes.
This then would just be one step in the right direction of rediscovering our Catholic identity and faith which so often these days has been forgotten.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[OldRedleg]

Some posts back a statement was made that permanent deacon’s were NOT required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. That is not correct. They are required to say Morning and Evening prayer in the United States. I believe the Vatican document only requires one of the two.

According to the “NATIONAL DIRECTORY FOR THE FORMATION, MINISTRY, AND LIFE OF PERMANENT DEACONS IN THE UNITED STATES”

*Liturgy of the Hours

1. Permanent deacons are required to include as part of their daily prayer those parts of the Liturgy of the Hours known as Morning and Evening Prayer. Permanent deacons are obliged to pray for the universal Church. Whenever possible, they should lead these prayers with the community to whom they have been assigned to minister.*

Paragraph 113 requires the praying of Morning and Evening Prayer as part of the Spiritual Formation of Diaconate Candidates.

 

[Rickwood]

I agree that there should be substantial formation, not just appoint them to be instituted acolytes. That would be a problem as it would trivialize the importance of not only the institution but also the function of the acolytes.
This then would just be one step in the right direction of rediscovering our Catholic identity and faith which so often these days has been forgotten.

In Christ
Scylla

Oh, OK – yes I agree in that case. Yet it seems like some wish to trivialize what an acolyte is by trying to distill it down to nothing more than a few practical tasks.