On Sept. 30, Archbishop James Checchio of New Orleans celebrated the Mass for the Institution of Lectors at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, during which Diocese of Birmingham seminarians Franz Mercado and Thomas Rogers received the ministry of lector. The Rite of Institution of Lectors is one of the ministries a seminarian must receive before ordination to the diaconate and priesthood. Each seminarian receiving the ministry of lector was instructed by Archbishop Checchio to “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.”