Seminarians installed as acolytes
By José Alejandro Camberos Santana Special to the Intermountain Catholic
MENLO PARK, Calif. — On Oct. 25, two Diocese of Salt Lake City seminarians were installed in the Ministry of Acolyte: myself and Jorge Martínez Gómez.
This ministry was bestowed upon us by the Most Rev. Armando X. Ochoa, Bishop of Fresno.
The ceremony took place at Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif., where Jorge and I and 12 other seminarians from different dioceses were invited to prepare ourselves to be able to give the ‘Holy bread’ to the parishioners, advancing in our formation for the priesthood.
In his homily, Bishop Ochoa explained the history of the Ministry of Acolyte, saying that its origins date to the first Christian communities. The acolyte was the person who accompanied the bishops and celebrants in their assignments. The acolyte was also the companion at the Eucharist celebration; history refers to a child named Tarsicio, an acolyte who had to transport the chalice to a safe place, but as he was doing that he was arrested by Roman soldiers. Tarsicio died defending the chalice.
The history of this saint and brave child asks us to be committed to and jealous of the Eucharist and to defend it with their lives, as Tarsicio did.
Another important reflection that Bishop Ochoa shared in his homily was the exhortation to remain faithful to our service to the Church, making a commitment more solid each time. As Eucharistic ministers, we have to be role models in our testimony and we should not just bring the Eucharist to the needy ones; we have to give our lives to service everyone, everywhere. This ministry is a great commitment for us but, at the same time, it is a great blessing to be able to bring Jesus to the neediest ones.
As you may know, the Ministry of Acolyte is the second ministry that is received in the process of becoming a priest. It is followed by the Holy Orders, which is received one year after.
Bishop Ochoa ended his homily by remembering the promise that Jesus made; "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20).
If we remain with Jesus through our prayers, we will know for sure that He will always be with us as we take His Body to all the needy ones.
We are very excited to have received this ministry and we are very motivated to keep our formation for being priests of our beloved Diocese of Salt Lake City. The road is long and we have some years ahead, but with God’s grace and your prayers we will see the success of our efforts.
We thank each and everyone who has given their generous spiritual, moral and economic support, and even though we are physically far from our diocese, our thoughts, heart and prayers are always with you.
According to the Rite of Institution of Acolyte, Volume II: "It is the responsibility of the acolyte to assist priests and deacons in carrying out their ministry. And as special ministers, to give communion to the faithful at the liturgy and to the sick.
"The acolyte also assists with the details of preparation of the altar and sacred vessels. Acolytes are permitted to expose the Blessed Sacrament but cannot bestow the blessing; that is reserved to priests and deacons.
"The acolyte remembers that, as he shares the one body with his brothers and sisters, so he forms one body with them."
José Alejandro Camberos Santana is a seminarian for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
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