ROME – Forty-four seminarians of the Pontifical North American College in Rome were instituted as acolytes during a celebration of the Eucharist March 2.
The Most Reverend Frank Dewane, bishop of the Diocese of Venice, was the principal celebrant of the Liturgy and instituted the seminarians. Adam Young of the Diocese of Providence, who is in his second year of theological studies, was among those instituted.
These seminarians have now received both the ministry of Lector and Acolyte in anticipation of their diaconal, and then priestly, ordination. Acolytes assist the deacon and priest during the Sacred Liturgy and are also given the responsibility of bringing Holy Communion to the sick.
The installation coincided with the Fourth Sunday of Lent. During his homily, Bishop Dewane reminded the seminarians that their formation for the priesthood must be rooted in a deep love for the Eucharist. “You must mold yourselves more and more perfectly in the likeness of the Eucharist.” He exhorted all those present to seek a deeper relationship with and understanding of who Jesus Christ is in their lives. In doing so, Christians fulfill their call to be the light in a world often found in darkness.
