Acolytes: Responding to Christ's call to serve

Intermountain Catholic

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The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City gives a vessel with the bread to be consecrated to a newly installed acolyte during Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine Feb. 21. IC photo by Priscilla Cabral

SALT LAKE CITY — The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City performed the institution of acolytes during Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine Feb. 21.

Bishop Wester called the 21 men to be instituted into the ministry of acolyte and gave each a vessel with the bread to be consecrated.

"Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church," he said to each while they responded "Amen."

Bishop Wester said we live in a society that praises individual achievement. We take pride in doing things without anyone’s help. We buy self-help books.

"But today we celebrate service at and for the altar," he said.

Being an acolyte requires conformity to the Church with a "generous, humble, and obedient response." It entails a strong and close relationship with the community, where a call is formed and nourished; and a relationship with Christ that is expressed in daily prayer and devotion.

This devotion to serve is manifested with the simple and beautiful act of kissing the altar.

"We are ordained – others baptized – for the service at the altar, which is a sign of our love of Christ," said Bishop Wester. He also reminded the acolytes "You are always sent forth to live what you’ve celebrated."

Bishop Wester acknowledged the important role the acolytes’ wives play. They support their husbands through prayer and sacrifice; and add wisdom, strength, and courage to their ministry so whatever they do, they do it under the name of Jesus, said the bishop.

The newly instituted acolytes are candidates to be ordained deacons early next year. Once they are ordained deacons, they will have the ministry to preach the Gospel. Additionally, they will have the authority to celebrate baptisms and marriages, serve communion, and perform dominical celebrations in the absence of a priest. They cannot, however, consecrate the wine and bread, hear confessions, or give anointing of the sick, among other things.

The Mass was also a celebration of the 16th anniversary of the rededication of the Cathedral of the Madeleine.