Another Glorious Installation

Tonight we had the honor of having His Excellency Co-adjutor Archbishop John Nienstedt celebrate Mass. It was a truly Lenten Mass - purple vestments, minimal incense, less organ, readings of the day for the Friday after Ash Wednesday; indeed, His Excellency gave a shorter than usual homily for such an event, but it was yet meaningful and packed. It was directed to the eleven men who were being officially and liturgically installed as Readers or Lectors.

For the most part, these first year men (and one second year man who was a seminarian elsewhere before coming to SPS) began their formation to priesthood years ago, but it is not until tonight that they finally receive their first recognized function in the Church. This, actually, ends up being a minor point of contention for a number of men. Why? Well, in the fullest flourishing of the liturgical life of the Church, all who are to read at Mass would be officially installed (by the bishop) as Lectors, and all who are to serve at Mass would be officially installed (again, by the bishop) as Acolytes.

This appointment, however, is more than just for the liturgical function. It also appoints them - in this case Lectors - as ones who are commissioned by the Church to teach and spread the faith. Pope Paul VI's Ministeria Quædam even appoints them specifically to participate in instructions on the worthy reception of the sacraments. In regard to this particular function in the Church, seminary formation respects this ideal of the Church Universal. Unless a man be installed as Lector or Acolyte, he does not read or serve at Mass (at least here within the seminary walls). This is the point of contention, though. One of the pre-theology men said it best about a month ago: "I'm a 24 year-old man who comes to the seminary to be told that I can't serve at Mass, but I go home and my 12 year-old sister can serve at Mass!"

This is not a lamentable point, though. We seminarians are happy to submit ourselves to the mind of the Church and remain docile to formation. We see that even in these little ways, we are being conformed unto the image of Jesus Christ, shepherd of the Church; we are being made ministers not in our image but in that of the Church and Jesus Christ. So with this in mind:

Newly installed Lectors, congratulations. God bless you and your ministry within the Church.

---------------

P.S. This is quite the felicitous event for those of us who have already been exercising this ministry. Now with these new Lectors, they take over all of the duties of Reading at Mass so that they can gain experience, while the rest of us Theology II and III men now simply serve as Acolytes at Mass.