Bishop Jeffrey Walsh of Gaylord, Michigan hands diocesan seminarians Sam Severance (above) a chalice and Zachary Goodchild (below) a book of the Gospels, which are symbols of their ministries of acolyte and lector, once known as minor orders, to which they were instituted on Dec. 8 at the Pontifical College Josephinum. 

Photos courtesy Pontifical College Josephinum

Acolytes are entrusted with attending to the altar, assisting the deacon and priest at Mass, and distributing Holy Communion during the liturgy and to the sick. Lectors are commissioned to proclaim the Word of God in the liturgical assembly and to instruct children and adults in the faith to prepare them to receive the sacraments. The bishop encourages the men to fulfill the ministry faithfully. Initiation of these ministries are considered pivotal steps toward priesthood. Seminarians are typically instituted as lectors in their first year of theological studies and as acolytes the following year.