Seminarian Andrew Kelley installed as an acolyte
PHOTOS: Ramón Camacho, Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Spokane seminarian Andrew Kelley marked a significant milestone in his journey to the priesthood as he received the ministry of acolyte during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas Daly in the chapel of St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California on Monday, October 9, 2023. A seminarian for the diocese since the Fall of 2020, Andrew is in his second year of the Configuration Stage – four years of seminary formation colloquially called “Theology” for the graduate-level subject matter of studies at this stage. Spiritually, seminarians in the Configuration Stage seek to configure their hearts to the priestly heart of Jesus Christ in preparation for ordination.
Being installed formally as an acolyte is a notable step in a seminarian’s priestly formation since it signifies his progressive approach to ordained ministry. Before being ordained a deacon – which is necessary prior to priestly ordination – each man must have received and exercised the ministries of lector and acolyte. Andrew had received the ministry of lector at around this time last year. While the primary liturgical role of installed acolytes is to serve at the altar during Mass, their responsibilities are more than that of most altar servers we see in our parishes. For example, installed acolytes are permitted to purify sacred vessels after their use to distribute Holy Communion – an action typically reserved for ordained ministers.
Bishop Daly presided at the Mass, installing eleven seminarians as lectors and seven as acolytes. While there are five other Spokane seminarians in formation at St. Patrick’s Seminary, Andrew Kelley was the only one to be installed in a ministry during this liturgy. A central element of the Rite of Installation of Acolytes was the handing over of a vessel of bread. This gesture and the accompanying words capture the nature and implicit mandate of being an installed acolyte. As Andrew knelt before Bishop Daly, the bishop gave him a vessel with hosts to be consecrated later in the Mass and exhorted him, “Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.”
You can learn more about Andrew Kelley in his video interview here.
