Instituted as lectors and acolytes, the six men are growing closer to Christ in his Word and Eucharist as they continue the deeper work of preparing their hearts for priestly service.
Six Denver seminarians, joined by seminarians from other dioceses, took another step closer to the priesthood on Saturday, as they were installed as lectors and acolytes by Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez. Though the two ministries are often fulfilled by dedicated laypeople in parishes around the world, the formal institution to them forms a meaningful milestone in priestly formation.
“Lector and acolyte are meaningful steps in your vocation journey to the priesthood,” Bishop Rodríguez explained to the men during the special Mass at Christ the King Chapel at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. “But priestly formation is not only about passing some philosophy or theology classes and exams, acquiring some pastoral skills, living some experience. It’s about the gradual conformation of your heart with Jesus.”
As these six Denver seminarians — and all 100 men in formation for the archdiocese — are formed to be happy, holy, healthy priests, they seek to become more and more like Jesus, he continued.
Read complete article from the DenverCatholic.