Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar presided at the institution of five Saint Mary seminarians as acolytes during a Mass Feb. 10 in Sacred Heart Chapel at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. Bishop Edward Malesic and Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost assisted at the liturgy along with several priests from the seminary and from the new acolytes’ parishes.
Relatives, pastors and friends were invited to participate in the liturgy.
(See photo gallery above.)
Four of the five men are from the Diocese of Cleveland. The fifth is from the Diocese of Youngstown which sends seminarians to Cleveland form formation.
The newly instituted acolytes from the Cleveland Diocese and their parishes are: Charles Cairnie, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Wooster; Noah Furin, St. Ladislas Parish, Westlake; Jeremy Gaugler, St. Mary of the Falls Parish, Olmsted Falls and Jeremy Shafer, St. Mary Parish, Berea.
The fifth new acolyte, Arthur Bodenschatz from St. Paul Parish in North Canton, is from the Youngstown Diocese.
Acolytes have the responsibility of assisting priests and deacons in carrying out their liturgical ministry. As special ministers of the Eucharist, they can distribute Communion to the faithful at Mass and to the sick and expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. Because the acolyte’s ministry places him in service at the altar, he has a special relationship to the Eucharist.
In his homily, Bishop Bonnar told the faithful that the liturgy is a sacred action that stands above all others. In fact, he said the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy stated “No other action of the Church can equal its efficacy by the same title and to the same degree.” The sacred liturgy is “a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy which is our ultimate destination. The earthly liturgy we celebrate is one beautiful hymn of praise,” he added.
St. John Vianney said, “If we really understood the Mass we would die of joy … All good works taken together cannot have the value of one holy Mass because they are the works of men, whereas the holy Mass is the work of God.”
The bishop reflected on some of the prayers recited or sung during Mass, noting that we give glory to God and after receiving the Eucharist, are sent forth to glorify the Lord with our lives. “Our prayer and life is all about God’s glory,” he said.
The readings for the acolyte institution Mass invite deeper reflection into the Mass, which he reminded the congregation is the greatest of all prayers, and challenge us to be properly focused. In the first reading, Melchizedek brought bread and wine, blessed Adam and gave glory to God by blessing him. In the second reading, St. Paul noted that our reception of the cup of blessing and the break broken is a participation in the life of Christ and that we are one body. He said St. Paul wanted to ensure that the glory of this sacred moment is not misdirected toward oneself.
And in the Gospel from Mark, he talked about how Jesus directed his disciples to prepare for that sacred meal, something he said the seminarians will be asked to do as installed acolytes of the Church.
“How blessed we are every time we sit at this same table and enter into once again this sacred action of Jesus to receive his body and blood and therein become one. Sadly, this sacred action rooted in the past, made real once again in the present and pointed to our future in heaven, can become all too familiar. Gentlemen, what is before us is so sacred and special. It allows us to both receive and give,” Bishop Bonnar said.
He mentioned how overcome St. Teresa of Avila was by God’s blessings in her life that she asked how she could thank him. Jesus gave her a simple answer: “Attend one Mass.” In other words, the bishop said, “Give God glory at holy Mass.”
Bishop Bonnar told the new acolytes he was honored to officiate at their installation, explaining that after much prayer and preparation, they were chosen for a special ministry in which they will assist the bishop, priest or deacon as they discharge their ministry and they will be asked to serve as a minister of Communion.
“This moment is for you an opportunity for you to not only draw closer to the altar and the sacred mysteries but also to seek to grow in understanding and appreciation of what happens at the altar and in the liturgy. The conferral of this ministry is also a time for you to grow in seeking every day to give glory to God and to build up his Church.”
He told the men that they are being called to embrace a ministry. “Be sure to demonstrate a prayerful reverence as an acolyte. In your words and actions, let the world know how sacred and special the liturgy is,” he said, adding that they must also be kind in their words and actions.
“The world has a great need to rediscover these realities of reverence for one another and for the God who created us. We also show reverence for the body of Christ,” he said.
Bishop Bonnar had some final words for the new acolytes, telling them, “Gentlemen, as you are installed this evening as acolytes, give glory to God. When you minister in this role, give glory to God. And as you go forth from this sacred liturgy and every liturgy, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” And please, do not forget to be reverent and kind.”