Diocesan seminarian offers reflection on receiving the Ministry of Lector

Courtesy photo/Pontifical College of North America

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Brian Schumacher, a seminarian for the Diocese of Salt Lake City who is studying at the North American College in Rome, received the Ministry of Lector with others at the college on Jan. 15. Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments was the main celebrant. In the photo, Schumacher is in the top row on the left.

Brian Schumacher

Special to the Intermountain Catholic

As Christians, we are people of the Word of God – the Word that was spoken to Moses and through the prophets, that inspired the Psalms, guided wisdom literature and culminated in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. So for a man on the journey towards the priesthood, being installed as a lector is no small milestone. I had the great privilege of being installed on Jan. 15 at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. This is one concrete step toward ordination; the next will happen next year when I become an acolyte.

There to install me was Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the congregation of Divine Worship. As part of the rite, His Eminence handed me the lectionary, looked me in the eye and said these words: “Take this book of holy scripture, and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.” It is a message and a commission that I continue to internalize during my time in seminary.

Once known as a minor order, the role of lector became a lay ministry during the papacy of Pope Paul VI in 1973. Though it is open to the laity, it is nevertheless a required step in the priestly formation of seminarians.

Immediately after my installation I felt a deeper sense of fraternity with the other guys in the seminary. My class has been through a lot over the past few months after moving to Italy, learning the Italian language (or struggling to, at least), and beginning classes that are conducted in Italian as well. After the installation, we were talking with each other and all of us felt a deeper connection to each other and the other seminarians here. Seminary is a place where life-long friendships can be forged, and this is a moment I think we will all look back on with good memories.

Another lasting memory for me will be what Cardinal Roche told all of us after the installation. After the Mass we all took a picture with him, then he turned to us and said, “Remember, this is God saying that he has confidence in you.” They were very encouraging words to hear and instilled us all with a sense of comfort and confidence.

Throughout my life, sacred scripture has always been a source of inspiration, comfort and challenge. When I think back on the words “be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people,” I am truly humbled by the task that is given me. When I read the Word of God during the Mass, I am communicating God to his people. In a few more years, God willing, I will be offering the sacrifice of his Son, his Word. Please pray for me as I continue my journey toward the priesthood.

Brian Schumacher is a seminarian for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.