Saint John's Seminary is a house of formation where men are conformed to Christ in order to be sent out for the sacred ministry of the Catholic priesthood. Your shoes are the only piece of clothing that show beneath your robe. out of the worship service. 109. there, facing the altar until after the Pastor and Assisting Minister An acolyte in the Catholic Church is what is called a Minor Order. This is evident from the letter of Innocent I (401-417) to Decentius, Bishop of Gubbio, in Italy (P.L., XX, 556). 265-266; Code of Canon Law, can. Conc., II, 626; cf. 5. 230 2: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 86 (1994), p. 541. When you reach the front of the church, before Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. The term, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, comes from the Greek akolouthos; Latin sequens [meaning he who] comes, a follower, an attendant. In the past it was exclusively part of minor orders, one of the stepping stones to become a priest. and bookbearer to join him. (Gr. bannerbearer or bookbearer, you are joining the ranks of those who have [77], When the Bishop is present at a Mass where the people are gathered, it is most fitting that he himself celebrate the Eucharist and associate Priests with himself in the sacred action as concelebrants. NOW WAIT. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Thus it is appropriate, insofar as possible, that the acolyte occupy a place from which he can conveniently carry out his ministry either at the chair or at the altar. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. Altar servers carry the cross, the processional candles (some Masses), hold the book for the If incense is used, the acolyte presents the thurible to the priest and assists him while he incenses the gifts, the cross, and the altar. What the new Roman Missal and the Church ask of the deacon is to become more like Christ. Duties include greeting people, answering the phones, filing and other clerical responsibilities. The Roman acolytes were subject to the deacon of the region, or, in case of his absence or death, to the archdeacon. Occasionally, an acolyte also may assist in other portions of the worship service. it so the text is facing away from your body. There is to be an interval of at least six months between the conferral of the ministry of acolyte and . The Role of the Acolyte In the early days of the church, being an acolyte was the first Order into which new Christians could begin to take on roles assisting or leading the communal worship of the church. the one you lit last. Hold There are a few other duties entrusted to the acolyte, such as distributing Holy Communion to the sick, for example. Current word processing . Please see the section entitled, Rich walk up the side aisle and return the banner to its stand. In the same time period, we also see the predecessor of modern gospel processions as two acolytes carried . ). The objective is to give people some information on what the minor order is about and its significance. In performing your ministry bear in mind that, as you share the one bread with your brothers and sisters, so you form one body with them. above no. the prelude begins, position yourself beside the Baptismal font. Want to see fewer ads on Aleteia? Bannerbearer Acolytes offer their time and talent to God by assisting the Clergy during worship services, and make a contribution to the spiritual life of the congregation. also the Interdicasterial Instruction on certain questions regarding the collaboration of the non-ordained faithful in the sacred ministry of Priests, Ecclesiae de mysterio, August 15, 1997, art. His ministry is specifically to assist the deacon and to minister to the priest. . The processional Being an acolyte is a special task entrusted to our young people. we place an Advent wreath in our Sanctuary reminding us of the time Sometimes, the left side is called the Gospel side and right side is This office of carrying the Blessed Eucharist, St. Justin, who suffered martyrdom about 165 or 166, had previously assigned to deacons (Apolog., I, 67), which would indicate that at that time acolytes did not exist. Philip, a bookbearer is used in two ways: ; With respect to the functions of the ministry the General Introduction to the Roman Missal has this to say: 187. Take a bulletin and a Lutheran Book of Worship If no deacon is present, after the Prayer of the Faithful is concluded and while the priest remains at the chair, the acolyte places the corporal, the purificator, the chalice, the pall, and the Missal on the altar. Resource Center. It includes the nave and the chancel. At times Catholics may see the word acolyte used in parish bulletins or spoken by the parish priest. Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. ; 2. Keep Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a profound bow with the others. At Rome they carried not only the Eulogia (q.v. The candle in the middle of the Advent Acolyte. may the lay interrupt the freedom of the acolyte in arranging the altar? Through the entire celebration, it is for the acolyte to approach the Priest or the Deacon, whenever necessary, in order to present the book to them and to assist them in any other way required. 3. Bless me, O god, with a reverent Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. Before conferring the ministry of acolyte: Dear sons in Christ, as people chosen for the ministry of acolyte, you will have a special role in the Churchs ministry. the Roman Rite at St. Edward Catholic Church in Newark, California. Pick up the alms basin with the offering plates. Arrive at church at the very latest at least 20 minutes before the Mass begins (Make a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel). from fidgeting. Ministeria Quaedam says, " [a]s one set aside in a special way for the service of the altar, the acolyte should learn all matters concerning public divine worship and strive to grasp their inner spiritual meaning.". Among the faithful, the schola cantorum or choir exercises its own liturgical function, its place being to take care that the parts proper to it, in keeping with the different genres of chant, are properly carried out and to foster the active participation of the faithful by means of the singing. [85] Cf. Turn to your left. Many parishes have a Sacristan, but some do not. It would seem, however, that all the churches in the West, and more especially the smaller churches, did not have acolytes. On Christmas Eve, we have candles in The candle in the middle of the Advent In order to confer them, the following conditions should be met: 8. 2. Some other Eucharistic hymn, or the recitation or singing of the Divine Praises, may accompany the simple reservation. the worship service. In this duty you may carry the cross in or the book of the Gospels, or process in prior to the book of the Gospels. the worshippers leave, beginning at the back. First among equals. [1] When you first arrive at the church, be sure to remove any gum or candy you have in your mouth. A deacon assists the priest outside of Mass when he administers the Sacrament of Baptism; brings Viaticum to the dying; presides for prayer services; officiates at wakes, funerals, and burial services; and witnesses marriages. 188. AT While he himself is the bishop of the diocese of Rome, he is the leader of the entire Christian flock as commissioned by Jesus (John 21:15-19). Today that is the case in most parishes, and therefore the position of altar server has come to predominate at most Masses. It may be well to mention here the two prayers of the ancient Roman Mass-book known as the Sacramentarium Gregorianum (Mabillon, Lit. the first candle. Pulpit Please try to avoid wearing sneakers. This was particularly true after the foundation of the Schola Cantorum (q.v.) It is a beautiful and sacred role in the Catholic Church, one that comes with much . A Verger's additional duties can be extremely various and depend on the needs and circumstances of a given church. 24. A liturgical function is also exercised by: ACOLYTE. in the metropolitan church of Capua. The role of acolyte changes from each mass. Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen gentium, no. cit., 146 and passim). 7. In some jurisdictions, a seminarian who has discerned that he does not have a calling to pastoral service can be ordained to the subdiaconate. It would not be correct, however, to sing the Tantum Ergo and its accompanying prayer as this is tied up with the rite of incensing before Benediction and its use could cause confusion. This should take place under the direction of the rector of the church and after consultation with the faithful in things that directly pertain to them. and the Assisting Minister go to the altar. 190. Canon 910.2: The extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is an acolyte or other member of the Christian faithful deputed in accord with Canon 230.3. damaging. Introd., 138), gives forty-five acolytes as the number in Rome. the altar, holding the banner. In the sixth canon of the aforementioned Statuta the duties of acolytes are specified, as they are by a contemporary writer, John the Deacon, in his letter to Senarius (P.L., LIX, 404). On certain festivals, at the time of Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. - the small room behind our altar where the communion ware is stored, Rom., in his Musaeum Italicum, II, 20; for an old epigraph in Aringhius, 156, see Ferraris, I, 100; Magani, Antica Lit. This article has been selected from the ZENIT Daily Dispatch Innovative Media, Inc. ZENIT International News Agency Via della Stazione di Ottavia, 95 00165 Rome, Italywww.zenit.org, To subscribe http://www.zenit.org/english/subscribe.html or email: english-request@zenit.org with SUBSCRIBE in the "subject" field, Provided Courtesy of: Eternal Word Television Network 5817 Old Leeds Road Irondale, AL 35210www.ewtn.com, HOME - EWTNews - FAITH - TELEVISION - RADIO - LIBRARY - MULTIMEDIAWHAT'S NEW - GENERAL - RELIGIOUS CATALOGUE - PILGRIMAGES - ESPAOL, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. Five years were to elapse before an acolyte could receive subdeaconship. Bookbearer To carry out this function correctly, it is necessary for the psalmist to be accomplished in the art of singing Psalms and have a facility in public speaking and elocution. 1 : an officer of arms ranking below a herald but having similar duties. Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, REMINDER FOR SPECIAL SERVICES. The word acolyte means "attendant" or "one who helps". [76], 92. altar, step down one step and wait for the ushers to approach you. weeks. Before conferring the ministry of lector: Dear sons in Christ: Through his Son, who became man for us, God the Father has revealed the mystery of salvation and brought it to fulfillment. Help your acolyte to perform his or her duties by ensuring they are the church 15 minutes before the service and look neat and well groomed. It consists of a taper There is to be an interval of at least six months between the conferral of the ministry of acolyte and the diaconate.. While the Catholic Church defines acolytes in this official capacity, the term is more commonly used when referring to altar servers and even more specifically, those who carry the candles at Mass. If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar girl. policy. the area of the church where the congregation sits. Walk out. This handbook was designed to be a tool for parents and youth alike. Lib. You share the that we have an unusually heavy processional cross. It is your responsibility to assist priests and deacons in carrying out their ministry, and as special ministers to give holy communion to the faithful at the liturgy and to the sick. More than 40 years ago, then-Archbishop William Borders of Baltimore issued a pastoral letter signaling his intention to ask that the "official ministries" of lector and acolyte be . In the celebration of the Eucharist, the lector has his own proper function (cf. Despite the changing landscape of our churches' membership, one worship-based ministry gets little attention: the acolyte. Sacristy XXIII, c. 17, de ref.) 173. The Paschal Candle is the largest and It is the mystery of the Church and the mystery of Amen. You, therefore, are a minister of St. Philip sense of your presence, that Imay be at peace and may worship you One elbow may rest on your hip, if you need extra support. The Roman Catholic Church has four minor orders: the acolyte, the exorcist, the lector, and the porter.The lector, sometimes known as the reader, is the third of these orders.During liturgies, the lector takes part by singing or reciting chosen biblical passages; however, the lector is not entitled to read from the gospels; this privilege is reserved for the . In the celebration of Mass the faithful form a holy people, a people of Gods own possession and a royal Priesthood, so that they may give thanks to God and offer the unblemished sacrificial Victim not only by means of the hands of the Priest but also together with him and so that they may learn to offer their very selves. [79]Cf. In 2001, the Vatican confirmed that the pope does not and has never received a salary . In some Christian denominations, altar servers are known as acolytes. A short blessing followed. into a large basin. Acolyte, (from Greek akolouthos, "server," "companion," or "follower"), in the Roman Catholic church, a person is installed in a ministry in order to assist the deacon and priest in liturgical celebrations, especially the eucharistic liturgy. Help Unless a Deacon is present, the Acolyte would sit at the . The Statuta Ecclesiae Antiqua, often referred to as the decrees of the so-called Fourth Synod of Carthage (398), but really belonging to the end of the fifth, or the early part of the sixth, century (Duchesne, Christian Worship, 332, 350), prove that this order was then known in the ecclesiastical province of Aries in Gaul, where these decrees were enacted. Whether children or adults, the mentoring and training of acolytes for liturgy is a . shelf - the small shelf on the wall to the left of the altar. What does it mean? Roman Catholic Church. THE CLOSE OF THE SERVICE - Rom., Milan, 1899, III, 61see also Rome). [75]Cf. the service when you walk to the back of the Sanctuary. 4. 175-186. These bishops convene in order to provide assistance to the Holy Father in addressing the requirements of the Church. Then he takes his place in the sanctuary. Lector 1 will carry the Book of the Gospel in the procession led by the Altar Servers, holding it high and at a comfortable level. Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reachmore than 20 million unique users per month! to the credence shelf. Specific information concerning the place and duties of acolytes in the Roman Church between the fifth and ninth centuries is drawn from a series of ancient directions known as the Ordines Romani (q. v.Duchesne, op. in Ord. 15 minutes before the service and look neat and well groomed. nos. An acolyte is a person who assists in the worship service. the worshippers leave. It is his place principally to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if necessary, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful as an extraordinary minister. 9. On Christmas Eve, light [ TOP ]. 2. What Does Synod Mean In The Catholic Church. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Other significant objects and symbols can be displayed in another, suitably decorated part of the worship . [82] They should, moreover, take care to show this by their deep religious sense and their charity toward brothers and sisters who participate with them in the same celebration. In that case, the lector walks in front of the priest but otherwise along with the other ministers. We learn still further from the Ordines Romani that when the Pope was to pontificate in a designated district all the acolytes of that region went to the Lateran Palace to receive and accompany him. Please see the section entitled Often called a wick. - the place in our sanctuary where the scripture lessons are read and What is an acolyte? There existed at that time in Rome forty-six priests, seven deacons, seven subdeacons, forty-two acolytes, and fifty-two exorcists, lectors, and doorkeepers. The crucifer turns and leads the Gospel Processional or wick from which the candles are lighted, and a bell for snuffing 26. and place them on the acolyte chair. [77] Cf. Christ Leave your acolyte chair, walk behind the altar The letters of St. Cyprian (7,28,34,52,59,78, 79) give ample proof of the fact that at Carthage also, in the middle of the third century, acolytes existed. The hierarchy of the Catholic Church consists of its bishops, priests, and deacons. Seven sections cover the duties of the acolyte. 108. The hierarchy of the Catholic Church consists of its bishops, priests , and deacons. During the baptism, The acolyte is appointed an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Rem. The office is not sacramental and so need not be reserved to males. 1 : one who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor duties. Arrive 15 minutes before the service. The faithful, moreover, should not refuse to serve the People of God in gladness whenever they are asked to perform some particular service or function in the celebration. 230 3. Light them from the front to the back. 42. . Offering Of all the bishops and archbishops in the world he is the leader. These offices were stages for those who were preparing for the priesthood. foot of the steps and again when you reach the altar. [78] Cf. Please contact Mrs. Cooper if the acolyte's robe is soiled or needs repair. L.L., Mumbai, India. When the postlude has concluded, This is all according to the 1972 document by Pope Paul VI called "Ministeria Quaedam," and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (187-193), which define the ministry and proper functions of acolyte. Sign up for our Premium service. Then the acolyte incenses the Priest and the people. However, it is not at all appropriate that several persons divide a single element of the celebration among themselves, e.g., that the same reading be proclaimed by two readers, one after the other, with the exception of the Passion of the Lord. and greeters meet the worshippers. _________, standing on the lower step to the left of the altar. For the sacred Order of the Diaconate has been held in high honor in the Church even from the early time of the Apostles. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches, the nearest equivalent of acolyte is the altar server.At one time there was a rank of minor clergy called the taper-bearer responsible for bearing lights during processions and liturgical entrances. 188. | Flickr CC by NC ND 2.0 Philip Kosloski - published on 04/11/19 The ministry of acolyte is an official ministry, while the term is also used in other circumstances. One hand But in fact such prayers and litanies can be used at any moment of the exposition and can be directed or guided by anyone. A liturgical function is also exercised by: a) The sacristan, who diligently arranges the liturgical books, the vestments, and other things that are necessary for the celebration of Mass. During the four weeks before Christmas, a number of important functions before, during, and at the close of Acolytes are junior members of a clergy, usually answerable to a Priest. The title "acolyte" likewise includes several roles, including serving at the altar at Mass, assisting priests and deacons with other sacraments, distributing Communion, exposing the Blessed . Remember not to carry the bell over the final hymn begins, and the crucifer goes to get the cross, remove d) Those who, in some regions, welcome the faithful at the church doors, seat them appropriately, and marshal them in processions. For many practical reasons these ministries are almost exclusively conferred upon candidates for the priesthood and diaconate. With lighted candles, two acolytes accompanied the deacon to the Ambo (q.v.) At an earlier moment of the Mass he had been vested with the stole and the chasuble. 6. The acolyte would light the candles on the altar, carry them in procession, and during the solemn singing of the Gospel; prepare wine and water for the sacrifice of the Mass; and assist the sacred ministers at the Mass., In 1973 Pope Paul VI abolished minor orders with the apostolic letter Ministeria Quaedam, but kept the role of acolyte, calling it instead a ministry.. You then follow him around to each of the Confirmands. Every legitimate celebration of the Eucharist is directed by the Bishop, either in person or through Priests who are his helpers. Being then the only ones in minor orders engaged in active ministry, acolytes acquired a much greater importance than they had hitherto enjoyed. For this reason we hope After the Priest, the Deacon, in virtue of the sacred Ordination he has received, holds first place among those who minister in the celebration of the Eucharist. The celebration of the Eucharist is the action of Christ and of the Church, namely, of the holy people united and ordered under the Bishop. As you sit or stand during the worship service, They light the candles, arrange the books, and basically perform a little housekeeping before mass begins. The General Instructions of the Roman Missal describes the Sacristan's role in Chapter III: Duties and Ministries in the Mass, in a single line. There is a formally installed office for these ministries. The Paschal candle is extinguished at the end of . Ancient ecclesiastical monuments and documents lead us to believe that a subdeacon was a sort of head-acolyte or arch-acolyte, holding the same relation to the acolytes as the archdeacon to deacons, with this difference, however, that there was only one archdeacon, while there was a deacon for each region. These are lit before the worshippers enter the sanctuary. you step up, pause and look reverently at the cross for a moment. What does acolyte mean? narthex. This symbolic action shows that Christ and the Word of God live in the you. is a hall. Extinguish the About what you expected? WALK IN DARKNESS BUT WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE.". It is his place principally to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if necessary, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful as an extraordinary minister.[83]. Because you are specially called to this ministry, you should strive to live more fully by the Lords sacrifice and to be molded more perfectly in its likeness. [Ministeria quaedam 6] If Communion is given under both kinds, in the absence of a Deacon, the acolyte administers the chalice to the communicants or holds the chalice if Communion is given by intinction. the final hymn begins, remove the cross from its stand. and proceed down the center aisle to the Baptismal font. open book, cup your hands to prevent the book from slipping. He gives all the categories of clerics except this one (Flodoard, Hist. Acolyte - from the Greek word that means "attendant" or "one 100. The bishop will give the absolution and benediction, usually from the footpace. The first new Catholic Bible to []. ***For Baptisms, light the Paschal In the absence of an instituted lector, other lay people may be deputed to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, people who are truly suited to carrying out this function and carefully prepared, so that by their hearing the readings from the sacred texts the faithful may conceive in their hearts a sweet and living affection for Sacred Scripture.[85]. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, among other things. Special Services Resource Center, 704/633-4861, "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME WILL NEVER Bow together with Father and approach the alter; place . After the reading of the first lesson, take the Perhaps the best presentation of these ministries comes from the discourse that the bishop delivers before conferring the ministry that is found in the rite itself. service. Turn to your left, passing by the crucifer, and place the banner in Is there a distinction between acolytes and altar servers? Remove 8. That largely depends on the practicalities generated by an individual churchs architecture. [74] Cf. A Priest, also, who possesses within the Church the sacred power of Orders to offer sacrifice in the person of Christ,[80] presides by this fact over the faithful people gathered here and now, presides over their prayer, proclaims to them the message of salvation, associates the people with himself in the offering of sacrifice through Christ in the Holy Spirit to God the Father, and gives his brothers and sisters the Bread of eternal life and partakes of it with them.