Christopher De Leon and Joshua Laws of the Archdiocese of Baltimore were among 54 seminarians of the Pontifical North American College instituted to the ministry of lector Jan. 16 in Rome.
Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien celebrated the Mass and instituted the new lectors. Handing the book of Sacred Scriptures to each seminarian, he said, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”
In his homily, Archbishop O’Brien said the new lectors were commissioned by the church to be “men of the Word.”
“From this day forward,” Archbishop O’Brien said, “we expect you to grow in a knowledge and love of the Word until that day, please God, when, through the laying on of hands, you will be empowered to speak that Word that will – literally, sacramentally – move heaven to earth.”
The institution of lector is one of the ministries seminarians receive as they proceed toward diaconal and priestly ordination. A lector is charged with proclaiming the Word of God in the liturgical assembly, instructing children and adults in the faith and preparing them to receive the sacraments worthily.