By Simeon Anthony
On Sunday 28th May 2017 was the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord and it also happened to be the day of the installation of the Ministry of Acolyte. His Grace, the Most Reverend Denis Hart, Archbishop of Melbourne, conferred five men to the Ministry of Acolyte at St Patrick Cathedral. There were four seminarians in their fourth year of seminary formation: Joseph Elefano, Jude Ezeme, Jude Johnson and Simeon Anthony who are preparing for their journey to priesthood from Corpus Christi College. Also Hubert, who is preparing to be a permanent deacon. The admission into this ministry is considered a stepping-stone to receiving Holy Orders.
According to the Apostolic Letter “Ministeria Quaedam” by Pope Paul VI, being an acolyte has many new responsibilities including: serving at the altar during the Mass, assisting Priests and Deacons in carrying out their ministry, distributing Holy Communion to the faithful within the liturgy, as well as delivering the Communion to the sick outside the liturgical celebrations and finally exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration.
As one of those men who was instituted into the ministry of Acolyte, I feel that in my formation and discernment, this is another calling from God for me. Not only to serve at the altar during the sacred liturgical celebration but also to be drawn more and more closely to the Lord who dwells within me, so that I may have a greater love for the Eucharist and I may hear his calling to love for the people of God especially for the weak and the sick.
We, who have just been installed to the ministry of Acolyte, ask you in a special way to pray for us along with our brother seminarians that throughout each stage of priestly formation, we may be able to live up to the preparation, and formation for the service of God’s people in the future.
