Mar. 11th James and I (both in our 2nd year of theological study) were instituted as acolytes. The ministry of an acolyte is to assist the deacon and priest at the altar before, during and after the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
On the surface it sounds a lot like being just an altar boy but in fact it is significant in that the Church called us to this specific ministry in preparation for ordination and we now act as ministers of the Church when exercising the ministry of acolyte.
In instituting the Church calls through the voice of a bishop. For us it was the Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, Cardinal George Pell.
The ministries of lector and acolyte are important steps in preparation for ordination, namely deaconate ordination, God willing in 2008, which is the next step before priestly formation in 2009.
Below is a quote from Motu Propiro Ministeria quaedam that speaks of how an acolyte is to configure himself to Christ and in our case prepare for ordination:
As one set aside in a special way for the service of the altar, the acolyte should learn all matters concerning public divine worship and strive to grasp their inner spiritual meaning: in that way he will be able each day to offer himself entirely to God, be an example to all by his gravity and reverence in church, and have a sincere love for the Mystical Body of Christ, the people of God, especially for the weak and the sick.
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