On the 1st of November, the day on which the universal church celebrates the solemnity of All saints, 14 of our seminarians were instituted into the ministry of acolytes. In his motu proprio, Ministeria Quaedam, Pope Saint Paul VI highlights the primary functions of the acolyte: “Acolyte is instituted to help the deacon and provide his service to the priest. It is his responsibility to take care of the service of the altar, to assist the deacon and the priest in liturgical functions, mainly in the celebration of the Mass; also distribute, as extraordinary minister, Holy Communion”. The holy Mass of the institution was presided by the Nigerian archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, secretary of the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
In his homily, the presiding Prelate anchoring on numerous biblical references, exhorted the candidates on the profound meaning of the ministry they are about to receive. The Mass featured a number of concelebrants who were mainly friends of the candidates. After the holy Mass which held at the Basilica of St. Apollinare, there were moments of photoshoots with family and friends and refreshment at the courtyard of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. We were also privileged to have His Grace Mgr. Fortunatus with us at lunch, after which he blessed all present. May we continue to pray for the new acolytes that they through the new ministry received, be ever closer to the Lord.