(Malolos Bishop Jose F. Oliveros, DD, installs three seminarians to the ministry of acolytes and nine seminarians to the ministry of lectors on July 15 during a Holy Mass held at the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS) Graduate School of Theology Chapel, Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan. (Photo: ARCJ))
GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, July 19, 2015 – Installing three seminarians to the ministry of acolytes and nine seminarians to the ministry of lectors on July 15, Malolos Bishop Jose F. Oliveros, DD, gave them words of wisdom on how to serve well: listen to the Word of God.
“Listen to the Word of God that you may be holy,” the prelate told the seminarians installed during a Holy Mass held at the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS) Graduate School of Theology Chapel, Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan.
The prelate explained that acolytes should listen to the word of God in a deeper manner, saying, “Listening to the word of God must lead you into service.”
Prepare well
The prelate also shared his personal way of listening to the Word of God which he practiced since he was a seminarian. He said a seminarian, a lector in particular, should read and reflect upon the texts for the Holy Mass the night before the celebration. He told the lectors to be well prepared before performing their duty in the celebration of the Holy Mass. Never should they read at Mass without any practice, Oliveros reminded them.
Oliveros said in the vernacular, “The Lord has called twelve apostles… And now, here are twelve young men before us, who will be installed as lectors and acolytes, at the service of the Word and [of] the Holy Eucharist. It is our prayer that they may faithfully listen and follow the Lord.”
Oliveros presided over the Eucharistic celebration together with the ICMAS formation team, ICMAS professors, and other guest priests.
Preparation for the priesthood
The celebration was attended by the ICMAS community, and the families, relatives and friends of those who were installed.
Serving in the ministry of acolytes and lectors is part of seminary formation.
The ministries are entrusted to seminarians in preparation for their priestly ordination. The acolytes are responsible for helping the priests celebrate the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist as well as in distributing communion to the congregation and to the sick.
The lectors, on the other hand, have the responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God in the celebration of the sacraments and prayers. (Arvin Ray Jimenez/CBCPNews)
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