Deacon candidates instituted into the ministry of lector, reaching a milestone in their formation

Eight men discerning for the permanent diaconate reached a milestone in their journey on Saturday, November 16, when they were instituted as lectors by Bishop James Ruggieri.

Lectors share the readings from sacred Scripture at Mass, other than the Gospel, and may also announce the intentions for the Universal Prayer or recite the psalm between the readings. While other laypeople may take on these roles, those instituted as lector are called to have a deeper understanding of the readings and to take on a greater responsibility for sharing the word of God.

“I think the word ‘proclaim’ is very important – proclamation. It’s not just reading texts. You’re proclaiming the word of God and that assumes or presumes that the Word has penetrated first in your hearts. The proclamation comes from your hearts, out of your lips, to the people,” Bishop Ruggieri said.  “On the day of your diaconate ordination, please God, you will receive a Book of the Gospels. It’s an essential part of the Rite of Ordination, but it’s also a central part of your ministry: proclamation of the word. And that begins first by living out a life that is based on the word, a life that has consumed it and continues to consume it and continues to live it out.”

The eight deacon candidates instituted as lectors are Arturo Ayala of Yarmouth, Sean Fidler of Bath, Doug Guerrette of Hampden, Peter Koch of Rumford, Stephen Ritchie of Eliot, Richard Roussel of Gorham, Adam Stearns of Skowhegan, and Timothy Winkeler of Falmouth.

“The gravity of it, the mission of it, and the joy of it, of being able to share Christ with others – I think that’s really what it means to me today,” said Fidler.

“It’s a confirmation of the importance of sharing the word of God with people, to help them understand how much Christ loves them,” said Stearns.

“Being instituted as a lector is a gift. This is how I see it. It’s part of the potential call to the diaconate,” said Ayala.

“It’s a good point at which to kind of reflect on where we’ve gone, through our discernment, for the past three years, knowing there are still another two years of preparation and discernment to serve the Church as a deacon,” said Guerrette.

“It’s a milestone in the journey,” said Koch. “It’s a step where there is a different level of trust from the bishop with our capacity, within our parishes, to proclaim the word.”

“All of us, I believe, are already actively reading in our parishes, but it’s a blessing to go through the formal rite and to be installed in this way. I think it brings another level of importance to evangelizing and reading the word of the Lord in Mass,” said Winkeler.

During the Mass, which was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Hallowell, the bishop asked the Lord to “bless our brothers who have been chosen for the ministry of lector. Grant that, as they meditate constantly on your word, they may grow in its wisdom and faithfully proclaim it to your people.”

Each candidate then approached the bishop, who handed each of them a Bible, saying, “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 addition to the eight men instituted as lectors, two of the candidates, Stephen Ritchie and Richard Roussel, were also instituted as acolytes, a ministry dedicated to assisting the priest and deacon at the altar. It is another step in the formation process for those preparing for ordination, whether to the permanent diaconate or the priesthood. While the other six candidates are expected to later become acolytes, Ritchie and Roussel were instituted now so they could assist the bishop at Masses as he travels to different parts of the state.  

“It’s another way to serve, another way to find out if indeed I am able to do what the Lord is asking from me,” said Ritchie.

“It’s kind of surreal,” said Roussel. “I love serving at Mass, and it is such a great blessing to be able to serve with Bishop Ruggieri.”

A ninth deacon candidate, Peter Czerwinski of Readfield, had previously been instituted as both a lector and acolyte. He served at the Mass in Hallowell.