Ministries Mass

Posted on 26. Feb, 2011 in Carousel

Recently in the college we were delighted to celebrate the ministry of lector here in the college. Archbishop Tobin was the celebratant.

The ministry of lector is a step towards priesthood which emphasises the priest as minister of the Word. The ministry is conferred by a Bishop during Mass.

A lector is commissioned to proclaim the Word of God in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith, and prepare them to receive the Sacraments.

During the rite, the Bishop addresses the seminarians receiving the ministry in these words

Through his Son, who became man for us, God the Father has revealed the mystery of salvation    and brought it to fulfillment. Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted his Church with the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world.

As readers and bearers of God’s word, you will assist in this mission, and so take on a special office within the Christian community; you will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. Thus with your help men and women will come to know God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.

In proclaiming God’s word to others, accept it yourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Meditate on it constantly, so that each day you will have a deeper love of the Scriptures, and in all you say and do show forth to the world our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Bishop then hands the book of Sacred Scriptures to each seminarian saying

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