On December 4, 2024, six seminarians attending Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary were instituted into the Ministry of Lector by the Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse.
The Seminarians who received the ministry are:
Peter Jiménez for the Archdiocese of Boston, MA
Joseph Frank Kolcun for the Diocese of Syracuse, NY
Leonardo Espinosa López for the Diocese of Raleigh, NC
Br. Anthony William Monahan for the Capuchin Franciscans of Denver, CO
Maximilian Muenke for the Archdiocese of Boston, MA
Bao Quoc Nguyen for the Diocese of Venice, FL
Those who are in formation to be ordained as Catholic priests must serve in the Ministry of Lector. This role prepares them to proclaim the Word of God through their work in the community and through the celebration of Mass and other liturgical rites. The principal duties of the lector at a Sunday Mass are to proclaim the first and second readings. In the absence of a deacon and/or cantor, the lector may carry the Gospel Book to the altar, proclaim the petitions for the Universal Prayer, and lead the responsorial psalm.
One way to sum up their responsibilities is seen in the words that the Bishop proclaimed at Mass: “You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily.”
We congratulate these men and pray that their new roles as lectors enables them to pursue their preparation to become priests and serve the faithful.
