On Saturday, September 19, 2015 we continued our fourth of five year journey in diaconate formation as a part of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton class. This class was held at Alemany High School, in Mission Hills. Our next class will be at St. Louis of France in La Puente. ( Click here to read all of Jay and Candy’s Diaconate blogs!)
The morning was spent with Deacon Ryan Adams and his wife Wynsdey. They went through aspects of the role of an acolyte. The couples were instructed on the responsibilities of the acolyte and how the wives could assist their husbands. This was done in the chapel at the high school.
All of those who received the previous two rites (Candidate and Lector) will receive the rite of Acolyte during the class retreat, October 2-4, at Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. Bishop Salazar will be the presider over the rite.
Originally, Jay was under the impression that with this rite, he would become a 58 year old altar boy. He was wrong.
Yes, many of the functions of an Acolyte at a Mass are currently performed by an altar server. This also true of functions performed by a Deacon. There are also functions performed by a Lector, a Sacristan, and a Eucharistic Minister.
As an Acolyte, you always vest in an alb and will process in and out with the Priest. In this duty you may carry the cross in or the book of the Gospels, or process in prior to the book of the Gospels. The Acolyte may assist with the usage of incense during the various parts of the Mass.
Unless a Deacon is present, the Acolyte would sit at the right of the presider. Depending on who is present at the Mass, the Acolyte may lead the Prayers of the Faithful. Since the Acolyte has already received the rite or Reader (Lector), he may also proclaim the non-Gospel readings.
The Acolyte may dress the altar, if no Deacon is present, or assist if a Deacon is present. This would be placing the Roman Missal, Chalice, Communion Cups, etc. on the altar.
The Acolyte, would go with the presider and Deacon, if present, to receive the gifts of Bread and Wine from the faithful. If no deacon is present, the Acolyte, may pour the wine into the Chalice and Communion Cups based on the preferences of the presider.
Unlike a Deacon, an Acolyte kneels during the entire Eucharistic Prayer, similar to the congregation and altar servers. If needed, the Acolyte may distribute communion as well as purify. Lastly, the Acolyte processes out after the Altar Servers, but prior to the Deacon and Priest.
The significant difference between the Acolyte and the Altar Servers, is that the Acolyte remains in the back of the Church to meet with the community.
The rite of Acolyte, as was stated before is the last rite received prior to being ordained as a Deacon. In service as an Acolyte at Mass, this would allow the other ministers who are serving at the altar to become comfortable with some of the duties that will be performed by a Deacon. It will also help the community to become familiar with Candy and Jay, who are currently in their fourth (of five) years of diaconate formation.
Your continued prayers and support during this process are greatly appreciated. We are sure that we would not be able to continue without them.
If you have any questions about what we have experienced in the diaconate (aka “that deacon thing”), please ask us or send us an e-mail to gbmom_01_02@yahoo.com.
If you are interested in becoming a Deacon or a Deacon Couple for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, please contact:
Diaconate Formation Office
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241
213-637-7383
Upcoming Diaconate Information days are as follows:
Sunday, October 18, 2015 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Incarnation Community Center, 214 W. Fairview Ave., Glendale, 91202
Candy & Jay Krueger,
Diaconate Formation, Year IV,
Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, CA