CHARLOTTE — Three Diocese of Charlotte seminarians were instituted as lectors during a special Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral.
Christopher Brock, Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu and Peter Rusciolelli received the Bible from Bishop Peter Jugis during the brief rite of institution Dec. 19.
“Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God,” he prayed with each one, “so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.” And they each responded, “Amen.”
In his homily, Bishop Jugis noted that the men, as readers and bearers of God’s Word, will now assist in the mission of preaching the Gospel.
The Scriptures – the Word of God – offer people vital spiritual nourishment, he told them, so he urged them to prepare ahead of time before lectoring at Mass and to read the Scriptures aloud carefully for the benefit of the congregation.
“You are placing yourselves and your voices at the service of God – to communicate His Word, His message of salvation to His people,” Bishop Jugis said.
He encouraged them to take to heart the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, because I bear your name, Lord, God of hosts” (Jer 15:16).
The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings at Mass, except the Gospel. He may also announce the intentions during the Prayers of the Faithful and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Responsorial Psalm. He may also recite the entrance and communion antiphons when they are not sung.
Now expanded to include the laity as a lay ministry, the role of lector (or reader) used to be a minor order in the Church and it continues to be an important step in preparing for ordination as a priest or deacon.
The ministry of lector is typically conferred on seminarians while they are away at major seminary, but the pandemic forced a change this year and the three were able to mark the occasion back home in the Charlotte diocese, where their families and brothers seminarians could attend.
Also in attendance were Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director, and clergy who are involved in the diocese’s growing vocations program, including Father John Putnam, judicial vicar; Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary; and Father Matthew Buettner, the college seminary’s house spiritual director.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
