20th Sunday in OT (A)
August 11, 2020
CTC – Spreading the light of the Transfigured Christ
August 11, 2020
In accordance with the process for priestly ordination, the Holy Ghost (Spiritan) Brothers at Tisserant House, Arouca received the ministries of lector and acolyte at the 8 a.m. Mass at Holy Trinity RC Church, Arouca on July 26.
The ministries were conferred by Spiritan Provincial Superior Fr Gregory Augustine, with Frs Clifford Mainooh and Gregory McLawrence concelebrating.
Brs Eliaza Mulemba, Ronald Abraham, Petros Dasiyano, and Jomar Torres received the ministry of acolyte. Brs James Bonyaah, Collins Mwiinga, Joseph Kalanzi, and Matthew Broeren received both the ministries of lector and acolyte.
“Our Founder, Claude Poullart des Places, who constantly prayed for God’s guidance, once wrote, ‘Divine Master, may your grace enlighten me at every step.’ We too continue to pray for the guidance and enlightenment of grace in our exercise of these ministries and throughout our formation,” said Br Mulemba.
In receiving the ministry of lector, the recipient is entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God, instructing people on it, preparing candidates for sacraments through it, and meditating on it daily. In receiving the ministry of acolyte, the recipient is entrusted with assisting in the distribution of the Eucharist, building up the body of Christ, and is called to offer himself as Christ offered Himself for all.
Before being ordained a priest, one must receive the ministries of lector and acolyte. In the past, these were called the “minor orders,” and were porter, lector, exorcist, and acolyte.
The Spiritan Brothers are studying for the priesthood at the Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs, Mt St Benedict while living at Tisserant House. They are different from seminarians because they take vows as members of a religious congregation and live in a religious community not a seminary.
Please pray for them as they journey towards the priesthood. Please also pray for vocations to the Spiritans, and to religious life and the priesthood. —A parishioner
