What are lectors and acolytes?
In short, lectors are the readers at Mass, and acolytes are the altar servers. Historically, lectors and acolytes were part of the four minor orders of the Church: porter, reader, exorcist, and acolyte. These offices were stages for those who were preparing for the priesthood.
Can women be lectors at Mass?
Francis amended the law to formalize and institutionalize what is common practice in many parts of the world: Women can be installed as lectors, to read Scripture and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers. Previously, such roles were officially reserved for men, even though exceptions were made.
What is the difference between acolytes and altar servers?
An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian liturgy. If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar girl. In some Christian denominations, altar servers are known as acolytes.
Can a lay person be an acolyte?
A directive of Pope Paul VI (effective Jan. 1, 1973) decreed that the office of acolyte should no longer be called a minor order but a ministry and that it should be open to laymen. In Protestant churches, mainly Anglican and Lutheran, acolytes are generally laypersons who light the candles at church services.
Does the Catholic Church have acolytes?
acolyte, (from Greek akolouthos, “server,” “companion,” or “follower”), in the Roman Catholic church, a person is installed in a ministry in order to assist the deacon and priest in liturgical celebrations, especially the eucharistic liturgy.
When were women allowed to be alter servers?
Pope Paul VI transformed the role of altar server from one that meant preparation for priesthood into a form of service open to all laypeople. And Pope John Paul II definitively authorized female altar servers in 1994.
What is acolytes in Catholic church?
How do you say acolytes?
Break ‘acolyte’ down into sounds: [AK] + [UH] + [LYT] – say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
What is acolytes in Catholic Church?
What do acolytes carry?
In Anglo-Catholic churches acolytes commonly wear cassock and cotta, and in less Anglo-Catholic churches commonly cassock-alb with girdle or cincture. Both cincture and girdle can be usually a twisted rope with knots on the ends which is secured round the waist; it may be white or of the liturgical colour.
What do lectors do at Mass?
lector, also called Reader, in Christianity, a person chosen or set apart to read Holy Scripture in the church services.
How do you use acolyte in a sentence?
Acolyte in a Sentence 1. During the Catholic ceremony, the acolyte assisted the priest with all of his duties. 2. The busy celebrity hired one of her superfans as an acolyte who could be there to meet her every need.