"Make your life worthy..."

This evening, St. Meinrad Seminary had it's annual installation of lectors and acolytes.  Over 40 men in formation were blessed by the archbishop of Indianapolis to serve the Church in the specific ministries of proclaiming the Word of God and assisting the priests and deacons at the altar, and I was one of those men.

This is such a great moment; a moment that brings me one step closer to ordination.  I will have the opportunity to serve as an acolyte this coming Saturday, so please keep me in your prayers.


I wanted to share with you a couple of things from the Rite of Installation to the Ministry of Acolyte.  The first is the blessing given by the bishop:
  

God of mercy
through your only Son
you entrusted the bread of life to your Church.
Bless + our brothers
who have been chosen for the ministry of acolyte.
Grant that they may be faithful
in the service of your altar
and in giving to others the bread of life;
may they grow always in faith and love,
and so build up your Church.

 Being an acolyte is more than simply being a glorified altar boy.  We will be close to the altar, so that we may learn the necessary liturgical steps and postures, and grow in a mentality of humility and service.  In addition, we will have the great responsibility and privilege to bring Holy Communion to the faithful and particularly the infirm.  It is through these privileges that Holy Mother Church has entrusted Christ to us in a particular way; a way that is preparing us to entrust ourselves to Her. 

The words that had the greatest impact for me were the words said by the bishop while we knelt to receive the paten from him:

Take this vessel with bread
for the celebration of the Eucharist.
Make your life worthy of your service
at the table of the Lord and of his Church.

"Make your life worthy;" worthy to serve your fellow men; worthy to sacrifice your time, talent and treasure; worthy to pour yourself out entirely, like a libation, before Almighty God.  It is our honor and our duty.  Praise be to God!