Ten men instituted as lectors on the path to priesthood (Photos)
On Sunday, Feb. 12, Bishop Elias Lorenzo, O.S.B, appointed 10 men to the Ministry of Lector at Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Kearny – an important step on the path to priesthood.
Of the 10 men, four are seminarians in the Archdiocese of Newark: Brian Urbano Cadag, Konrad Kosiek, Michael Anthony Oasheim, and Raymond Francis Walsh. Two are from the Diocese of Metuchen: James Francis Prumos and Patrick James Rasimowicz. Two are from the Diocese of Paterson: Carlos A. Vargas Hernandez and Lucas Sebastian Folan. Two belong to religious organizations: Brother Bruno Mello, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk of Newark Abbey, and Brother Brian Sullivan, O.F.M. Cap., a Capuchin Franciscan friar of the Province of the Sacred Stigmata of St. Francis.
The Ministry of Lector is one of the ministries a seminarian must receive before ordination to the diaconate and the priesthood, usually during the first year of theological studies. Those given the Ministry of Lector are entrusted with reading the Sacred Scriptures at Mass, during the Liturgy of the Hours, and other liturgies of the Church.
When seminarians receive the Ministries of Lector, which differ slightly from ministries of the same name exercised by lay persons, the Church recognizes the formation that has occurred in them and their willingness to embrace the ministries as another sign of their preparation for ordination.
As instituted lectors, the seminarians “proclaim the word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith, and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily.” During the Liturgy of Institution, the seminarians are also invited to “take the book of Holy Scripture, and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of the people.”
After serving as a lector in the first year of theological studies, seminarians are appointed as acolytes in their second year, followed by their candidacy for the diaconate in their third year, serving as a transitional deacon at the end of their fourth year, and ordination to priesthood a year later.
For more information on the vocation of the priesthood, visit newarkpriest.com.
Featured image: The Institution of the Ministry of Lector at Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Newark on Feb. 12, from L – R: Rev. Robert Suszko, Vice Rector at Immaculate Conception Seminary ; Rev. Justino Cornejo, Spiritual Director at Redemptoris Mater Seminary; Rev. Msgr. Gerard McCarren, Rector at Immaculate Conception Seminary; Rev. Marco Vitrano, Prefect of Studies at Redemptoris Mater Seminary; Br. Bruno Mello, OSB; Patrick James Rasimowicz, Diocese of Metuchen; Brian Urbano Cadag, Archdiocese of Newark; Br. Brian Sullivan, OFM Cap.; Lucas Sebastian Folan, Diocese of Paterson; Most Rev. Elias Lorenzo, OSB; Carlos A. Vargas Hernandez, Diocese of Paterson; Michael Anthony Oasheim, Archdiocese of Newark; Raymond Francis Walsh, Archdiocese of Newark; Konrad Kosiek, Archdiocese of Newark; James Francis Prumos, Diocese of Metuchen; Rev. Msgr. Renato Grasselli, Rector at Redemptoris Mater Seminary; Rev. Manuel Duenas, Vice Rector at Redemptoris Mater Seminary.
