The Minor Order of the Acolytes

Photo by Archdiocese of Washington

This past Saturday, Tom Jaconette (our media specialist), gave a brief talk on the installation of men into the Minor Order of the Acolytes. Essentially there are two types of acolytes: seminarians on their way to the priesthood and lay men who have been chosen by their pastors to be installed by the diocesan bishop. Our parish will have seven men installed by Bishop Kevin Vann next week.

In the last few years we have seen an increase in the number of adults who are altar servers. These adults help the children that serve on the altar, what we would have called altar boys in the old days. These men will be distinguished from the other adult servers in what they wear and the duties they perform. Our new acolytes will wear a black cassock covered with a white surplice as seen above. They have the responsibility of directly helping the priest and deacon during Mass. In the absence of a deacon they are able to take on many of those duties, including purifying the sacred vessels used in Communion. Because the acolyte is a minor order only men can serve in that capacity.

The functions of the acolyte are set forth in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

The Functions of the Acolyte
187. The functions that the acolyte may carry out are of various kinds and several may occur at the same moment. Hence, it is desirable that these duties be suitably distributed among several acolytes. If, in fact, only one acolyte is present, he should perform the more important duties while the rest are to be distributed among several ministers. 

The Introductory Rites
188. In the procession to the altar, the acolyte may carry the cross, walking between two ministers with lighted candles. Upon reaching the altar, however, the acolyte places the cross upright near the altar so that it may serve as the altar cross; otherwise, he puts it away in a dignified place. Then he takes his place in the sanctuary. 

189. Through the entire celebration, it is for the acolyte to approach the Priest or the Deacon, whenever necessary, in order to present the book to them and to assist them in any other way required. Thus it is appropriate that, in so far as possible, the acolyte should occupy a place from which he can easily carry out his ministry either at the chair or at the altar. 

The Liturgy of the Eucharist
190. In the absence of a Deacon, after the Universal Prayer and while the Priest remains at the chair, the acolyte places the corporal, the purificator, the chalice, the pall, and the Missal on the altar. Then, if necessary, the acolyte assists the Priest in receiving the gifts of the people and, if appropriate, brings the bread and wine to the altar and hands them to the Priest. If incense is being used, the acolyte presents the thurible to the Priest and assists him while he incenses the offerings, the cross, and the altar. Then the acolyte incenses the Priest and the people. 

191. A duly instituted acolyte, as an extraordinary minister, may, if necessary, assist the Priest in distributing Communion to the people.[99] If Communion is given under both kinds, in the absence of a Deacon, the acolyte administers the chalice to the communicants or holds the chalice if Communion is given by intinction. 

192. Likewise, after the distribution of Communion is complete, a duly instituted acolyte helps the Priest or Deacon to purify and arrange the sacred vessels. In the absence of a Deacon, a duly instituted acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table and there purifies them, wipes them, and arranges them as usual. 

193. After the celebration of Mass, the acolyte and other ministers return together with the Deacon and the Priest in procession to the sacristy, in the same manner and in the same order in which they entered.