ROME, Italy — On Sunday, Jan. 17, 51 seminarians of the Pontifical North American College were instituted to the Ministry of Lector during a celebration of the Eucharist. Scott M. Jablonski of the Diocese of Madison, who is in his first year of theological studies, was among those seminarians instituted.
Bishop Paul S. Loverde, bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, celebrated the Mass and instituted the new lectors. Handing the book of Sacred Scriptures to each seminarian, he said, “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.”
In his homily, Bishop Loverde explained, “Dear sons in Christ, the taking of this Bible must be far more than an outward gesture, a physical taking hold of a book. For you, it must be an internal receiving of God’s Word . . . you must allow this Word to enter into you, to take root in your innermost being, so that the Word becomes a part of your very self. In doing so, Mary is your model. Like her, you must allow the Word to take flesh in you and make His home within you.”
The institution as lector is one of the ministries seminarians receive as they proceed towards diaconal and priestly ordination. As the rite indicates, a lector is charged with proclaiming the Word of God in the liturgical assembly, instructing children and adults in the faith, and preparing them to receive the sacraments worthily.