Seminarians in the configuration stage of formation at the Pontifical College Josephinum were installed as lectors and acolytes on Nov. 17 by Bishop John Iffert of Covington. From the Diocese of Birmingham, those installed to the Ministry of Lector were Justin Brouillette, Patrick Letterle, and Billy Moin. Also present for the installation was Father Steven P. Beseau, the seminary’s rector and president.

Once termed a minor order, the ministry of lector was established by Pope Paul VI in 1973 with the apostolic letter Ministeria Quaedam. Lectors are commissioned to proclaim the Word of God in the liturgical assembly and to instruct children and adults in the faith to prepare them to receive the sacraments. In the rite, each candidate is handed a symbol of the ministry to which he is being instituted. Lectors receive a Book of the Gospels as the bishop encourages the men to fulfill the ministry faithfully. Institution to the ministry is a pivotal step on the journey toward priesthood. Typically, seminarians are instituted as lectors in their first year of the configuration stage.