Basilian Scholastic Invested with Ministry of Lector in Mexico and Associates Welcomed into the Congregation

On Monday, March 16, the Basilian community in Mexico gathered at the Violetas Provicialate house in Puebla to celebrate two important milestones in the Basilian men in formation’s journeys toward priesthood. Father Alejandro Estrada, CSB, second councillor in Mexico, presided over the Mass and preached; and Father Paul Walsh, CSB, director of scholastics in Mexico, installed a Basilian scholastic with minor ministry and formally welcomed the associates in Mexico into the Congregation.

Basilian scholastic, Antonio Ibáñez, CSB, was invested with the Minor Ministry of Lector. Prior to ordination to the priesthood, the Church calls young men to the ministries of Lector and Acolyte to emphasize the importance of two aspects being a priest: the Word and the Sacraments. Generally speaking, the ministry of Lector is celebrated first and the ministry of Acolyte second. The homily that is part of the rite describes what a Lector is instituted to do, “As readers and bearers of God’s word, you will assist in this mission [of preaching the Gospel], and so take on a special office within the Christian community; you will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. Thus with your help men and women will come to know God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.”

Antonio is in his second year of vows and his third year of studying theology. In the Basilian community, it is important that the young man be studying theology when he receives minor ministries.

Also during this gathering, the associates in Mexico were formally welcomed into the Basilian community with a small rite. The associates made a commitment to the Congregation of St. Basil and the Congregation committed to supporting them through prayer and example. Finally, each young man received a copy of the Basilian Way of Life as a way to deepen his association with the Basilians.

The community day concluded with a meal and a birthday celebration for one of the associates.