ROME — Seminarian Corey Close of the Diocese of Davenport is among 55 seminarians of the Pontifical North American College in Rome who were installed as acolytes during a Mass on Sunday, March 7.
Archbishop Thomas Rodi of the Archdiocese of Mobile, Ala., was principal celebrant of the liturgy in which Close, who is in his second year of theological studies, was installed.
The seminarians have now received both the ministry of lector and acolyte in anticipation of their diaconal, and then priestly, ordination. Archbishop Rodi reminded the acolytes of the contemporary challenges to faith, as well as the central role of personal witness and authenticity in the exercise of priestly ministry. He encouraged them to take up the challenge “to bring Christ to others and others to Christ.”
The ritual for the installation of acolytes includes the prayer: “Take this vessel of bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your lives worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.”
