Archbishop O’Brien Installs 54 Lectors
| Fifty-four seminarians of the Pontifical North American College were instituted to the Ministry of Lector during the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist on January 16, 2011.
The Most Rev. Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, celebrated the Mass and instituted the new lectors. Handing the book of Sacred Scriptures to each seminarian, he said, “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.”
In his homily, Archbishop O’Brien explained, “Today you are commissioned by our Church to be men of the Word, His Word. From this day forward we expect you to grow in a knowledge and love of the Word until that day, please God, when through the laying on of hands, you will be empowered to speak that Word that will—literally, sacramentally—move Heaven to earth.”
The institution as lector is one of the ministries seminarians receive as they proceed towards diaconal and priestly ordination. As the rite indicates, a lector is charged with proclaiming the Word of God in the liturgical assembly, instructing children and adults in the faith, and preparing them to receive the Sacraments worthily. Congratulations to all those newly installed to the ministry of lector. Photos can be viewed here.
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