The Ministries of Reader and Acolyte conferred on twenty-six Franciscan friars

01 June 2024

The Custody in the Holy Land

On 1^st June, at St Saviour’s church in Jerusalem, the Custos of the Holy Land Fra Francesco Patton presided over the Holy Mass during which the Ministries of Acolyte and Reader were conferred on twenty-six friars from different parts of the world.

“These ministries,” the Custos said in his homily (you can find the full text here) addressing the friars, “are linked to a vocational path (the one you are following as friars minor) and to a call to service in the Church. These are “services” which have to do with becoming small, to putting yourselves at the service of your brothers and sisters. If you are receiving the ministry of reader or acolyte today, remember first of all that what you are receiving is the honour of following Jesus in a life of service.”

Fra Patton then stressed two fundamental attitudes. He reminded the Readers to serve their brothers with the Word of God, always alive and effective. On the other hand he underscored the need for the Acolytes to humbly serve the great mystery of the presence of the Son of God, even in the little bread and wine of the Eucharistic celebration.

During the rite, when he gave the Gospel to the Readers, the Custos said the words: “Receive the book of the Holy Scriptures and transmit the Word of God faithfully, so that it can germinate and bear fruit in the heart of men.” And giving the paten to the Acolytes, the instructions were: “Receive the tray with the bread for the celebration of the Eucharist, and may your life be worthy of serving at the table of the Lord and of the Church.”

“My wish for you,” the Custos concluded, “is that these words do not remain an empty phrase but become living reality in your current service and a step ahead towards an increasingly full service, until the complete gift of your life.”

Silvia Giuliano

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