Lector and Acolyte A Life Worthy of the Priesthood Z AC H A RY S C H A E F BAU E R ’ 2 2 , D I O C E S E O F S I O U X FA L L S
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ake your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.” When I reflect on these words from the Rite of Institution of Acolyte, two things come to mind. First, I cannot believe that I am nearing the end of my seminary formation. It seems like only yesterday I was walking through the doors of St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the priesthood remaining in the distant future, but I now find myself being instituted an acolyte with the priesthood practically knocking on the door of my heart. My classmates and I were instituted acolytes on Sunday, February 23,
2020, by Archbishop J. Augustine DiNoia, OP, Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. With the installation of acolyte, a seminarian takes on a special responsibility with regard to the Holy Eucharist. Acolytes are instructed “to assist Priests and Deacons in carrying out their ministry, and as special ministers to give Holy Communion to the faithful at the liturgy and to the sick.” The rite also challenges the acolyte to conform himself more closely to Christ’s sacrifice and live more fully in the image of Christ, particularly by fulfilling his command “to love one another.”
My institution as acolyte is yet another instrument by which God disposes my heart to greater receptivity of his divine assistance, that I may purify my life and thus serve worthily in the sacred vocation of the priesthood. This brings me to my second thought: a haunting feeling of unpreparedness. I am led to ask questions such as, “Am I really ready for priesthood?” and “Am I even worthy of such a call?” In a sense, no, I am not ready. I am not worthy. However, this is a beautiful realization: it is not by my own power or perfection that the priesthood is given to me. It is a divine gift for which God and his Church prepare me and make me worthy. Nevertheless, I must make my life worthy by cooperating with God’s grace and the Church’s formation. My institution as acolyte is yet another instrument by which God disposes my heart to greater receptivity of his divine assistance, that I may purify my life and thus serve worthily in the sacred vocation of the priesthood. n
Zachary Schaefbauer ’22 (Sioux Falls) stands with his diocesan brother Rev. Anthony Klein ’20 (Sioux Falls) at the foot of the sanctuary in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. ROMAN ECHOES 2020 • VOLUME 25: ISSUE 1
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