institution of lectors and acolytes – Life on the Chrism Trail

Homily for the Institution of Lectors and Acolytes

March 14, 2026
St. Mary’s Seminary
Baltimore, Maryland

Nehemiah 8:1-4, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18
Hebrews 9:11-15
Luke 24:44-48

The Word Proclaimed, the Word Made Present in Sacrifice, and the Word Entrusted to Witnesses for Mission. It is truly appropriate that we carry out the institution of both lectors and acolytes in the celebration of this Mass. Each of these ministries that mark your formation in the configuration stage of seminary formation can only be fully pondered and received in relation to each other as part of the Eucharistic mystery. There is an inherent unity in the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist that together give life to the Church as intended by Christ. Pope Benedict XVI once taught, “The liturgy of the word and the Eucharistic liturgy, with the rites of introduction and conclusion, ‘are so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship.’ There is an intrinsic bond between the word of God and the Eucharist. From listening to the word of God, faith is born or strengthened (cf. Rom 10:17); in the Eucharist the Word made flesh gives Himself to us as our spiritual food.”

Homily for the Optional Memorial of Saint Ansgar

Mass for the Institution of Ministries of Lector and Acolyte

February 3, 2025
Theological College
Washington, DC

Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
Hebrews 10:19-25
Mark 1:14-20

To consider the lay ministries of lector and acolyte in the life of the Church and in their role in seminary formation requires us to review two Papal documents: the Motu Proprio, Ministeria Quaedam of 1972 by Pope Saint Paul VI and the Motu Proprio, Spiritus Domini of 2021 by Pope Francis. Ministeria Quaedam identified the character of Lector and Acolyte not as minor orders inherently within the clerical state but as being “closely linked to liturgical actions that in practice were being exercised by the laity.” This shift in focus led to the development in doctrine within the Latin Church that these ministries while distinct from ordained ministry are open to all the baptized. This Magisterial recognition has graciously spared the Church from clericalizing male and female members of the laity.

Homily for Institution of Lectors and Acolytes

August 12, 2023
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas

Deuteronomy 6:3-9
Psalm 19:8-11
Acts: 2:42-47
Luke 24:44-48

“Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly; for the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you a land flowing with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel! — The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!