Bishop Frank Caggiano Presides over Ministry of Lector

Bishop Frank Caggiano Presides over Ministry of Lector

On December 1, 2021, Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary was blessed to institute nine of its seminarians into the Ministry of Lector. Presiding over this special Mass was Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

The men who are in formation to become priests must be instituted as Lectors, in part because they must be formed and prepared to be proclaimers of the Word of God. This role includes not only their duties in the celebration of Mass and other liturgical rites, but also by witnessing to the Word of God now and in their future ministry. The main duties of the lector at the Sunday Mass includes proclaiming in both the first and second readings. If no deacon is present, the lector may carry the Gospel Book to the altar during the entrance procession, as well as proclaim the petitions during the Universal Prayer. If no cantor is present, the lector may read the responsorial psalm. During the institution ceremony, the bishop instructs the candidates, saying, “You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily.”  Through these words, the bishop is making known to the men and the faith community the new expectations in their responsibilities in the Catholic Church.

The nine men who were instituted as lectors are Thomas Gregory Dougherty, Diocese of Venice; Joseph Anthony Gonzalez, Archdiocese of Washington, DC; Clifton Troy Mastran, Archdiocese of Washington, DC; Barry Thomas Mongeon, Archdiocese of Boston; Stephen James Mullaney, Diocese of Worcester; Rayappan Rajesh Ravi, Archdiocese of New York; Nquah Lebui John Tanyi, Archdiocese of Boston; Nelson Gerardo Tlatelpa, Diocese of Brooklyn; Gregory Bryan Zingler, Archdiocese of Washington, DC.

We congratulate each of these men and pray that their ministry as lectors will enhance their formation to become priests and serve the faithful people of God.

Watch the Mass for Ministry of Lector on our YouTube channel.

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