November 3, 2010

Acolytes, lectors instituted at the seminaries

On the evenings of Oct. 19 and 23, a total of 15 men in formation at the two seminaries operated by the Denver Archdiocese—Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary—took steps in their journey toward priesthood as they were instituted to either the ministry of lector or acolyte.

As lectors, the men may proclaim the Scriptures at Mass. An acolyte’s function is to assist the deacon or priest with the details of preparation of the altar and sacred vessels. Acolytes by their office in the Church are special ministers of the Eucharist. For the men who were instituted to acolyte, the next major step they will make in their formation is ordination to the diaconate.

Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., was the main celebrant of the Masses, which took place in Holy Family of Nazareth Chapel at Redemptoris Mater Seminary on Oct. 19, and in Christ the King Chapel of St. John Vianney Seminary on Oct. 23. Both seminaries are located at the John Paul II Center in south Denver.

Mass concelebrants included the seminary rectors, Father Florian Martin-Calama of Redemptoris Mater and Msgr. Michael Glenn of St. John Vianney.

From Redemptoris Mater, Eider Giraldo and Ivan Rodriguez were instituted to lector.  Instituted as acolytes from Redemptoris Mater were Arturo Chagala, Jose Anibal Chicas and Juan Manuel Bonilla. All are in formation to serve the Denver Archdiocese.

Men instituted as lectors from St. John Vianney for the Denver Archdiocese were Joseph LaJoie and Scott Bailey, as well as Jason Keas for the Colorado Springs Diocese and Garrett Kau for the Diocese of Madison, Wis.

Instituted as acolytes from St. John Vianney for the Denver Archdiocese were Ryan O’Neill and Samuel Morehead; as well as Brian Lager and Gale Hammerschmidt, both for the Diocese of Salina Kan.; John Grant for the Diocese of Tulsa, Okla., and David Johannes for the Diocese of Madison, Wis.