By Fr. Thomas Rurkert
On Wednesday, October 7, we celebrated the Mass of Our Lady of the Rosary with added joy and solemnity within the formation community in Orange, NJ. During the Mass Br. Branden Gordon, a student of theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall, was instituted into the ministry of lector or reader by Fr. Tim Zak, provincial. Br. Branden was officially commissioned to be “a reader and bearer of God’s word” in the “liturgical assembly,” to “instruct children and adults in the faith,” and to “prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily.” He was presented with a copy of the Bible and given a personal blessing by Fr. Tim, so as to be able to exercise his special office faithfully. Br. Branden is a candidate for the Salesian priesthood. In 1973, Pope Paul VI established the ministries of lector and acolyte as prerequisite steps to be given to all candidates for orders. Next year, Br. Branden will receive the ministry of acolyte.
