On Feb. 15 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Birmingham, fifteen faith-filled men completed another milestone in their journey toward ordination as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama during a Mass, with the Rite of Institution as Lector, celebrated by Bishop Raica. The men were supported at the Mass by their wives and families, as well as members of the formation team. 

The Rite of Institution to Lector is a significant moment in the journey toward the permanent diaconate, marking the Church’s formal recognition that a candidate is ready to serve the Word of God in a stable and public way. Through this rite, the bishop entrusts the candidate with the ministry of proclaiming Scripture (except the Gospel) and fostering a deeper love for the sacred texts within the community. It is both a liturgical commissioning and a spiritual milestone, recognizing that the candidate is growing in his identity as a man formed by the Word he will one day preach as a deacon.

The men who participated in the Rite of Institution of Lector were Timothy Battocletti, Martin Beasley, Maxwell Elebash, Colin Fach, Cliff Farabee, Gregory Halen, Steven Leisure, Joseph Mokulis, Abraham Niedzwiecki, Vick Peltier, Jose Santiago, Jason Shaw, John Summers, David Williams, and Austin Wimberly.

Deacon Jeff Montgomery, the director of formation for the Permanent Diaconate Program, said, “This rite signals to the faithful these men are being shaped for a life of service at the altar, in charity, and in the teaching mission of the Church. It is a joyful moment for our diocese, reminding us that the Lord continues to call and form servants of the Gospel in our midst. I ask for you to please pray for these men and their families as they begin this next step in their journey.”